RANGE Magazine by RANGE

Issue Eight

Winter 2018

publisher

RANGE

RANGE ISSUE WINTER

e ditor ial di r ector

2018

THISISRANGE.COM

Jeanine Pesce

@THISISRANGE

jeanine@thisisrange.com

#RANGEMAG

art di r ector

de s i g n e r

Jonathan Cammisa jon@thisisrange.com designer

Molly Gavin manag i ng e ditor

Alex Gomes alex@thisisrange.com e ditor

Nina Stotler nina@thisisrange.com ON THE COVER: social media

ICELANDIC FOOTPATH UNDER THE AURORA BOREALIS

ma r k e t i n g

Lisa Dougherty

NORTH ICELAND, 2015

lisa@thisisrange.com

CHRIS BURKARD @CHRISBURKARD

contr i b utors

photog raph e rs

Noam Argov, Hans Aschim,

Jason Ahlan, Peter Amend,

Lisa Dougherty, Lindsey Elliott,

Noam Argov, Chris Burkard,

Sally Francklyn, Alex Gomes,

Michael Dyrland, Max Lowe,

Aarika Hernandez, Emily Hopcian,

Colette McInerney, Maz McWilliams,

Mara Johnson-Groh, Andrew Luecke,

Brian Merriam, Phil Oh,

R.R. Noall, Corrina Peipon,

Pravan Photography, Mary Walsh,

Elyse Rylander, ShawntÃ© Salabert,

Wheelie Creative, Drea Zlanabitnig

Kalin Stewart, Nina Stotler,

i l l u s t r ato r s

Matthew Vanatta, Mary Walsh,

Jonathan Cammisa, Jackie Leishman,

Sam Ward

Adam Kingman, Daren Magee,

artists

Andrea Slusarski

PRINTED IN CANADA printed on

100%

p ost-c on s u m e r r ecycle d pap e r

Jackie Leishman, Yosemite 12 Inspired by a recent trip to Yosemite National Park, artist Jackie Leishman became interested in the talus and rock fragments piled up at the base of the cliffs. Their varying shapes, precarious angles and inherent tension spoke to her and she started creating Yosemite 12 as a reverse drawing using printmaking ink to lay down the image structure. Then she allowed the piece to evolve organically, adding collage elements with paper, photographs and monotypes. The entire Yosemite series explores the beauty found in tension, nature and our lives. Each piece is a unique essay on the natural environment, contrasting the violence and constant movement of water with the solid strength of an otherwise unyielding stone landscape.

FOREWORD The Future of Outdoor

“The best way to predict the future is to create it”

- Peter Drucker Our Winter 2018 issue is dedicated to thriving, not just surviving. RANGE is flipping the script this season to chart a newly optimistic course and set our collective sights on social responsibility, considered design and thought leaders influencing the modern outdoor movement. The number eight historically represents everything good in the universe, so as an homage to this powerful and feminine number, Issue Eight will feature inspirational content with infinite possibilities. This issue also marks a milestone in the evolution of RANGE and a move to practice what we preach. Not only have we doubled the page count to make room for the premium coverage our readers love, but we’ve also committed to 100% recycled paper. RANGE is a platform for creative expression in the outdoor industry. As we publish our biggest issue to date, we’re cognizant of the responsibility making this statement signifies. We take chances with our work because we want to shift the collective consciousness by humanizing the outdoor experience. Our community makes us courageous and we take great pride in amplifying the voices behind these universal narratives through impactful, meaningful storytelling. In the spirit of optimism and creating change in the world, we’ve taken a special look at developing real tools for our readers. Whether you’re interested in advocacy, nurturing creativity or mapping out a successful career in the outdoor industry, we’ve got you covered. We hope you enjoy this issue. It means the world to us to share it with you.

-Jeanine Pesce, Founder

Eight and the Infinite by Noam Argov

h e origins of the infinity symbol (“∞”) have long been a point of debate among mathematicians and linguists. One non-Western perspective we found interesting: The “∞” symbol was not used to represent the concept of “infinity” in mathematics until the 17th century and many Western scholars believe it is either derived from the Roman numeral for 1,000 “CIƆ” or the last letter of the Greek alphabet “ω.” However, we know Arab and Islamic scholars were some of the earliest mathematicians in human history and that the Greeks and Romans borrowed heavily from their theories. In Arabic, the word for eight is “Thamany,” which stems from the ancient Hebrew, Aramaic and Phoenician word “Tamid” and means “Forever.” In Islam, “8” represents the eight gates of heaven and the key to everything abundant and good in the universe. For many scholars, the ancient connection between “8” and “infinity” is no coincidence, both meaning “forever” and unlocking infinite possibilities, creativity and wholeness.

by Sam Ward

n December 7, 1972, three men sat atop a Saturn V rocket, hurtling away from home at 20,000 miles per hour. The crew of Apollo 17 glanced back and became the first humans to see the entirety of Earth—the “blue marble.” Their photograph of that moment became one of the most-widely viewed images in history.

Cernan was describing “The Overview Effect,” a profound shift in awareness that comes from seeing Earth from above. It triggers the realization that our home is tiny, fragile and suspended in the void—alone. You see that all life is connected, that we’re all components of the same vast system. It’s been 45 years since Apollo crew members snapped that photograph and opened the door to a new cognitive experience. Today, when we are seemingly more divided than we have been in generations, the need for the overview effect has never been greater. Everyone can’t gaze down at Earth from the International Space Station, but space-based imagery from NASA can help us get close. These images can trigger profound insights about the world we inhabit and allow us access to the overview effect.

“... you can look out the window and you’re looking at the most beautiful star in the heavens—the most beautiful because it’s the one we understand and we know, it’s home, it’s people, family, love, life—and besides that it is beautiful. You can see from pole to pole and across oceans and continents and you can watch it turn and there’s no strings holding it up, and it’s moving in a blackness that is almost beyond conception.”

View of Earth from the Apollo 17 lunar landing mission, December 7, 1972, NASA

Invitation to The OVERVIEW EFFECT

without having to excavate and potentially damage cultural artifacts. From this vantage point, they can map sites that have been looted, as well as undisturbed sites.

Tijuana border crossing as seen from the ISS, NASA

This photograph shows the stark patterns of development along the border between the U.S. and Mexico at Tijuana. More than 300,000 people cross the border here each day, making it the busiest land border crossing on the planet. Viewed from space, the interaction between the natural and the built environment is obvious, as is the artificial boundary of the border.

Earth Observatory image of Chaco Canyon by Joshua Stevens, using Landsat data, NASA

NASAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Suomi NPP satellite is able to pick out city lights from 512 miles above Earth's surface. Population centers appear as glowing filaments set against vast open expanses.

False-color image of Northern California wildfire damage, NASA

Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite from the Suomi NPP satellite, NASA

This false-color image collected by the Terra satellite reveals massive burn scars in Northern California. The brown spots show where vegetation burned during the recent devastating wildfires, and how they weave through populated areas. Humans have shaped the world through our unique mastery of fire. Yet, fire is not entirely under our control.

Ron Garan, NASA astronaut aboard the ISS, said this about his experience with the overview effect: "I was flooded with both emotion and awareness. Seeing Earth from this vantage point gave me a unique perspectiveâ&#x20AC;Ś the realization that we are all traveling together on the planet and that if we all looked at the world from that perspective, we would see that nothing is impossible."

The overview effect is helping us learn more about our history and heritage. Space imagery is aiding archeology, such as this image of Chaco Culture National Historical Park in Northern New Mexico. Researchers use satellite data to reveal hidden sites and features from the landscape

The overview effect is a powerful force. It awakens a sense of wonder and responsibility that should inspire all who care deeply about our home planet.

CONSCIENTIOUS TOURISM Sapa Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Chau and the Future of Responsible Travel Words + Images by Noam Argov

xploring the outdoors when we travel is a form of consumption. If we care about shopping for organic food and Fair Trade goods, we can also do better when we adventure outside. This time, however, I’m not talking about environmental or “eco” tourism. I’m talking about people, in terms of direct impact on local communities due to how we explore, where we stay and which guides we hire. Sapa O’Chau, a social enterprise and guiding company in northwestern Vietnam’s Sapa region, is trailblazing the future of indigenous-owned, “conscientious tourism” in the outdoors. Surrounded by rice terraces and mountain villages, Sapa is a popular base for trekking in Vietnam. But as tourism in Sapa rises, the region’s ethnic minorities are being left behind. That’s why a local woman named Shu Tan built Sapa O’Chau. She wanted Sapa’s indigenous communities to learn English, lead treks and take control of their economy. Shu is a member of Sapa’s Black Hmong minority and grew up in poverty, working from childhood as a handicraft street vendor. She founded Sapa O’Chau as a community-based tourism initiative, combining outdoor adventures for travelers with education and cultural preservation for locals. The company operates as a nonprofit, boasting 30 guides, 15 homestays, and 80-plus students per session at its fully-funded schools. Today, Sapa O’Chau is still the only tour company in Sapa that is fully owned and operated by local ethnic groups. Overall, Shu just wants us to be discerning when we travel for outdoor adventure. Guiding companies who use words like “sustainable” and “local” to represent themselves are often as meaningful as an “all natural” label on a bag of chips. The conscientious traveler takes time to find outdoor experiences that benefit the communities in which they are based. And while you could explore alone in these environments, Shu maintains that solely experiencing adrenaline or natural beauty is half the story. There are cultures alive in these wild places, and part of enjoying and preserving the outdoors means learning from locals who are the stewards of the areas we love to trek, climb, kayak and ski. As Shu puts it, “When you travel you must ask yourself, ‛Do I want to trek the mountains, but see locals like a zoo? Or do I want to learn from the inside?’” For Shu, the future of outdoor exploration is finding an indigenous social enterprise to support while you travel. Her advice? “Trust the local people. We are always there.”

Sapa O’Chau won “Best Community Initiative” in World Travel Market’s 2017 Responsible Tourism Awards. A quick online search shows it is one of the top guiding companies in Sapa. For more information, head to http://sapaochau.org/.

“Trust the local people. We are always there.”

ANCIENT MEDICINE Words + Images by Brian Merriam

n July 2016, I was on my way to Alaska by way of Portland, Oregon when I received a phone call informing me my father had taken his own life. I put my trip on hold and returned to New York. Two days after his funeral, I was back on my trip to Alaska and soon my feet were planted, although tenuously, upon a glacier.

years, you free yourself a bit from the boundaries of human time. And then, in a way, you do not live at all, but in another way, you live forever.” I wasn’t looking to live forever, but in a sense, to live again. In a way, my descent into geologic time was the beginning of my resurrection. I looked to the ancient world to figure out how to rebuild my present.

These massive rivers of ice usually inspire awe of their sheer magnitude: the profound influence on the earth around them and their unfathomable volume of water. In my fragile mental state, something else inspired me: time. These behemoths flowed essentially as rivers do, but on a timescale beyond our simple human comprehension. Over the next several days, across and above many more glaciers, I stepped out of the present and let my mind succumb to geologic time, finding comfort in its virtually endless cycle. My place in the modern world held only pain, but in the geologic world, there were only slow rhythmic patterns.

I spent the next year looking for places to observe and photograph visually unique geology: cycles of sedimentation and erosion, glaciation and volcanism. Ancient Medicine is the result of these travels. In this series of photographs, the horizon is purposefully disregarded in order to give the feeling of immersion in geology. Objects and landscapes of monumental size take on an ambiguous scale. I like to think of the creation process as painting with time. Ancient Medicine asks the viewer to consider these glimpses, to step out of our human timeline and into a geologic one, to imagine the slow tick of eons that have made these compositions possible, and to be soothed, as I was, by the notion that this has all been before and will be again, whether or not anyone is here to witness it.

In John McPhee’s Basin and Range, Geologist Kenneth Deffeyes says, “If you free yourself from the conventional reaction to a quantity like a million

GETTING GOOD AT DOING GOOD

Robert Workman is in Business to Solve Problems and Give Back by Emily Hopcian

oing good for the world and doing well in business aren’t mutually exclusive. It is possible to do both at the same time, and Robert Workman’s success—and impact—with Tifie Humanitarian, Goal Zero and Barebones Living is a testament to that fact. As Robert and his teams like to say, “When you do good, you get good. It’s magic.” Tifie, Goal Zero and Barebones are a trifecta. All founded by Robert in the last decade, their teams collaborate to help people out of poverty around the world. For-profit businesses Goal Zero and Barebones make and sell quality products that people—from the poorest of the poor to the richest of the rich—need and want. Tifie, a nonprofit organization, teaches people how to run sustainable businesses in their communities and gives them the tools necessary to do so, thus empowering them to lift themselves out of poverty.

“When you work with different cultures, you find out that we’re 99% the same. We all want to take care of ourselves and our families. We all want something better than what we have.”

Goal Zero prides itself on creating portable, reliable power. Portable chargers, solar panels, solar kits and lights are all part of the company’s product lineup. Barebones makes products that elevate life outdoors, such as camping gear, cast iron cookware and gardening tools. Goal Zero’s giveback is power while Barebones’ giveback is shelter. The success of Tifie, Goal Zero and Barebones didn’t come overnight. It took time, hard work, reality checks and perseverance. “It’s a process,” Robert says. “I call it stumbling forward. When we first started, we were putting out fires and fixing problems. We’ve since developed into a more thoughtful organization, and we’ve learned to team up with other really good organizations, like Doctors Without Borders and Direct Relief, because they do things better than we do.”

know all the answers,” he says. “You’ve got more to learn than you’ve got to give. Find out what’s working, what’s not working, what do they really want. If you can understand first, then you can start truly helping.”

Since 2009, Goal Zero and Tifie have provided power to communities in Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as many others. Barebones and Tifie have delivered more than 250 shelters to provide safety and dignity to disaster survivors in the Philippines, Nepal and Fiji. Most recently, the trio teamed up to deliver power and shelter to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.

Running three businesses with global impact has taught Robert a thing or two about our planet and the ties that bind us. “When you work with different cultures,” he says, “you find out that we’re 99% the same. We all want to take care of ourselves and our families. We all want something better than what we have. The difference is what I call ‛top-down.’ If we’re lucky enough to be in a country that has good government, we’re lucky. When you get into a third-world country, they’re poor not because they wanted to be poor. They’re poor because they have a corrupt government on the top that keeps them poor. We’re all the same, but with different opportunities.”

Robert says listening, asking questions and understanding are the keys to making a sustainable difference. “You don’t

Of the past decade with Tifie, Goal Zero and Barebones, Robert says, “I’m most proud that we’ve stuck to the task because there’ve been many times we wanted to give up. Everyone has their wilderness. Everyone has their time when you just have to find out who you really are and what you really, truly believe in. And that’s the difference sometimes between success and failure—some people just give up a little too soon.”

Al l i mage s cou r t esy o f T if ie H u m a n it a r ia n

Fair Trade Certifiedâ&#x201E;˘

Patagoniaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Commitment to Economic Empowerment

I m a g e s c ourt e s y of Pa t a g oni a

Helena Barbour, Patagonia’s Vice President of Global Sportswear, is committed to furthering these initiatives by continuously expanding their offering of Fair Trade products. As she explains, “It’s a personal passion of mine. Most people recognize their clothing is made from certain materials, but it’s important to realize they’re also made by hands.” For Helena, this means “the people making our clothing deserve to be recognized. Fair Trade Certification is more than just a premium paid to these factories, it’s something that benefits the lives of these workers. It’s very important to put a human connection into supply chains and Fair Trade is a crucial component of a broader conversation about consumer habits.”

he term Fair Trade Certified ™ has always been a bit of a mystery to the general public. Casually included alongside altruistic phrases like “post-consumer recycled” or “locally sourced,” the everyday consumer may not understand exactly what it means for a product to be officially approved as Fair Trade Certified ™. So let’s break it down! Fair Trade Certified ™ is a reward system helping brands give back to their workforce by paying a premium to manufacture goods at certified factories. These premiums are deposited into a Community Development Fund, which goes directly back to the community where the product was made. From there, each community democratically decides how to spend the funds to improve their lives by meeting their unique social, economic and environmental needs.

The unique nature of Fair Trade is most apparent when looking at the many different ways communities allocate their premiums. “Workers have chosen to use these funds for anything from cash bonuses to funding on-site child care programs,” notes Helena. At the Hirdaramani factory in Sri Lanka, workers used their Community Development Fund to open a daycare center providing factory workers with free child care. Nature USA in Los Angeles voted to take their share of the money, which equaled up to six days salary, as cash bonuses they put towards healthcare or college tuition for their children. We know women play a key role in driving global economies in emerging countries, but this contribution is rarely reflected by their salaries or rank of the positions they hold. Fair Trade helps level the playing field for women in these situations. According to Helena, “[Women] are the majority of the workforce in garment factories. Fair Trade gives this often underrepresented group the ability to choose how to improve the working and living standards they have.”

This otherwise simple concept has one important detail that adds a deeper layer of value to the system—not just any factory can be Fair Trade Certified ™. Manufacturers must also adhere to uncompromising standards for the health and safety of their factory employees, guarantee they will use no child or forced labor, and commit to environmentally respectful practices. They’re also required to provide reasonable maternity and paid leave for employees, and pursue broader programs to encourage positive and impactful empowerment in the community. Patagonia became a founding member of the Fair Labor Association in 2001 and subsequently implemented and expanded one of the world’s most successful Fair Trade Certified ™ programs. Starting with just one factory producing 10 Fair Trade clothing styles in 2014, Patagonia now offers 480 styles created by 14 different factories, an assortment of products that includes all of the company’s board shorts and bikinis, as well as 94 of their popular fleece items. Nearly 16,000 workers have directly benefited from premiums the brand has paid forward through their Fair Trade Certified ™ program. While most Fair Trade apparel factories are in Asia, Patagonia also operates certified factories in Columbia, Nicaragua, Thailand and Vietnam, and was the first company to expand the program to Mexico and the United States.

As we become more educated on the lifecycle of the garments we wear and what they’re made from, we must also consider the lifecycle of the people who actually produce these products. Fair Trade Certification guarantees we’re holding brands accountable, not just for choosing sustainable materials or environmentally conscious manufacturing methods, but for supporting the equality, health and independence every community deserves. jeanine pesce

THE CHANGING TIDES OF EASTER ISLAND Even Wild Places are Riding a Wave of Globalization

Words by Matthew Vanatta / Images by Max Lowe

ur mission to Easter Island was one of self-reflection, servitude and salvation. Photographer Max Lowe, Director of Photography Clay Mason, and I were sent to the island for six weeks to mentor aspiring filmmakers as part of The Cousteau Fellowship. The objective was to make a film about an indigenous cowboy named Heu Rapu and the dynamic changes taking place on the island as the indigenous people fight to regain control from the Chilean Government and struggle with a seemingly unstoppable wave of modernization.

the land and the sea is so strong it seems to thunder all around him. We spent our days following Rapu as he drove cattle, fished the crystalline waters and explored the large volcanic craters that appear like pockmarks over the surface of the island. As we worked the land alongside Rapu, we learned about the history of this remote island through the lens of the indigenous people, and we stood in awe of the large, ghostly Moai statues, which are so famous throughout the world. Horses roam free through the grassy hills and the stars are so vivid at night, it feels as if you’re swimming among them, making this place seem incredibly free. But like most wild places, Rapa Nui is changing. With an influx of tourists, Rapa Nui is not immune to the globalization of the modern world and has found itself in a state of flux.

Rapu has long jet black hair, a tooled leather hat and a devilish grin. He grew up on the island of Rapa Nui, as it is called in his native language, and although he’s in his late 70s, he has the vitality of someone much younger. His intuitive relationship with

“There is plenty of speculation about Rapa Nui’s past, which was once a robust society now almost completely destroyed. As many questions as there are about the island’s past, there is equally widespread speculation about its future.” 24

“Horses roam free through the grassy hills and the stars are so vivid at night, it feels as if you’re swimming amongst them, making this place seem incredibly free. But like most wild places, Rapa Nui is changing.”

The Indigenous people of Rapa Nui are becoming more vocal about their disdain for the Chilean government and foreign investors, which has played out in a number of protests on the island. The Chilean government annexed Rapa Nui in 1888, but recently returned control of the island’s lucrative pay-to-enter park system to the indigenous community. This move signifies a big shift in the will of the Chilean government to control Rapa Nui’s resources. Along with the shifting political tides, a new wave of modernization has swept over the island. Where cars were uncommon a decade ago, now Rapa Nui is ripe with flat screen TVs and smartphones. It’s an odd juxtaposition to drive down a road frequently blocked with free roaming cattle and moments later walk into a store selling virtual reality goggles. The island is also being courted by the Chinese government that is hoping to build the infrastructure

for high-speed Internet, which has caused some controversy among residents. Another protest took place while we were on the island, as there are both advocates for connectivity and those who oppose such large scale globalization efforts. There is plenty of speculation about Rapa Nui’s past, which was once a robust society now almost completely destroyed. As many questions as there are about the island’s past, there is equally widespread speculation about its future. For the moment, Rapa Nui remains a place of spectacular wonder, full of breathtaking headlands, rolling hills and a rich cultural heritage. While no place is immune to change, as long as people like Heu Rapa exist, the ancestral traditions of a self-sustaining Polynesian culture will survive intact as the world rapidly changes around them.

Future Crafting

Making Space to Design Your Future

Words + Images by Adam Kingman

here are two ways to look at a blank sheet of paper. It can be the most frightening thing in the world because you have to make the first mark on it. Or it can be the greatest opportunity in the world because you get to make the first mark—you can let your imagination fly in any direction, and create whole new worlds.” – Marty Sklar’s words to the Disney Imagineers, 1966 I often write letters to my future self and tuck them between the blank pages of my notebooks. I draw out my wild dreams and fold them up as reminders of the goals I’ve set for myself. I call it future crafting. It’s easy to lose direction when the first thing we do in the morning is scroll through everyone else’s lives. These self-addressed letters keep me focused. Growing up in Tahoe was my first lesson in good design. Products are tools. The right gear disappears so you can focus on shredding. In the words of Dieter Rams, good design is unobtrusive. The best ideas hit you on the approach since there aren’t many interruptions outside. Put simply, find quality gear and go outside.

"There are two ways to look at a blank sheet of paper." I had no idea what industrial design was when I moved to Seattle. I followed my friends into a design class and was stoked to find the discipline was everything I grew up doing: exploring, tinkering, building. I learned objective thinking and grew a vocabulary to encourage what worked and what didn’t. Design is essentially collecting ideas through experience and working towards solutions. After college, I lost my creativity. Expectation stalled my output and I was caught up in the game of comparison. I was so distracted watching everyone else, I forgot to keep track of my own thoughts. If you’re reading this, I hope your creativity is alive and well. If not, you’ll get it back. I retraced my steps back to when I was most creative. The kid inside me reminded me of a time when there were no expectations and I drank orange juice for breakfast instead of Instagram. I was free to do anything I wanted.

Comparison. Expectation. Fear of failure. They devoured my creativity. And sometimes people won’t understand your brilliant ideas until you bring them to life. We can’t grow if we don’t learn from our mistakes. Even failure is growth. These days, I brew coffee at sunrise and turn to a blank page in my notebook. Free of interruptions, distractions and expectations, I give myself an hour to explore whatever comes to mind. It’s usually a patchwork of checklists, rhymes, drawings and small circles. It’s mostly nonsense, but occasionally I find gold to build from. Give yourself the space to create. Illustrate what your path ahead looks like. Write yourself a letter of encouragement. Future you will thank present you. A blank page is the greatest opportunity because no one has put anything on it yet. Adam Kingman is an industrial designer and photographer based in Austin. He trades decent magic tricks for a good story and is looking forward to drawing with you.

DESIGNING BY THE BOOK Standards Manual Reprints of Graphic Style Guides by Hans Aschim

rtists might scoff at rules or boundaries, but any graphic designer worth their Retina display knows how to thrive in them. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fonts or a color palette, graphic designers flex their creativity working with a pre-existing toolset and parameters known in the industry as a standard manual. The aptly named Brooklyn-based publisher, Standards Manual, celebrates tomes of classic design identities from the days before InDesign and mobile-optimized fonts. Founders and Pentagram-alumni Hamish Smyth and Jesse Reedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest release explores the graphic identity of the Environmental Protection Agency.

How do you approach a new project?

A lot of the manuals come from the '60s and '70s. Why?

Jesse Reed: Up until the EPA book, most of our titles have been reissues of standards manuals we wanted to archive and we were interested in the historical significance they have so there wasn’t much of us designing anything. It was just making a well-produced archive of that document.

HS: These manuals didn’t really exist until the late 1950s. That was when corporate design as a discipline really took off. The ones we have chosen all happen to be from the '70s, which I think was probably the golden era of these manuals. In the '90s, they really started going downhill.

At that time, the EPA was in the news for being under attack, not that they still aren’t, but their identity was especially relevant and included a lot of the program that had never been seen before. There are color systems and pattern systems I had never seen before, so from a designer’s perspective, it was eye-opening. Hamish Smyth: It’s also a really cool manual. That was certainly part of it as well. [Laughs]

JR: Which was because of computers to be honest. It was a new tool that people didn’t fully understand and they were experimenting and doing really bad things. What lessons can a designer take away from the series? JR: There are a ton. One is being very intentional. All of these manuals made very rationalized and intentional decisions to get through the design process and not have to rethink the same questions over and over again. You have to be very detailed and specific in how a logo can be applied to everything from a letterhead to a truck in a very micro to macro scale.

“The manuals showed respect for the agency and its work, and now there’s a lack of respect unfortunately. Hopefully these manuals will remind someone, somewhere, of that.”

- Jesse Reed

“[NASA] previously had a high school newspaperstyle cut and paste aesthetic. It did not look like a space agency.”

- Hamish Smyth

HS: It’s thinking in systems. Anyone can create a cool logo, but thinking in systems is difficult and these books really help people think that way.

Is the EPA manual more relevant given the current administration’s treatment of the agency?

A lot of these iconic design manuals come from bureaucratic agencies, which seems counterintuitive.

HS: It has a nice feeling of a time when these agencies were more respected. I guess it depends on which side of the political spectrum you’re on, but it feels like the EPA is being gutted. The guy running it used to lobby against it.

HS: It all came from the National Endowment for the Arts during the Nixon administration. They created the Federal Graphics Improvement Program. There was a committee with designers on it and they were saying how far behind Europe the U.S. was in terms of design. NASA was the first agency they targeted to redesign their graphics program. It previously had a high school newspaper-style cut and paste aesthetic. It did not look like a space agency.

JR: This design program was supposed to elevate the EPA as something you should take seriously and we still should, if not more so given that the Earth is crumbling. The manuals showed respect for the agency and its work, and now there’s a lack of respect unfortunately. Hopefully these manuals will remind someone, somewhere, of that.

One really cool thing about the NASA logo: that worm logo is on the Voyager spacecraft. It’s the furthest man-made object from Earth right now. It’s in interstellar space, so if anything ever finds that spacecraft, they’re going to see that logo first.

Images c ourtesy of Stan dard s Ma nual

34 Images courtesy of Google i m a g e s e a rch (:

f you pay any attention to high fashion, you’ve probably noticed a shift in recent years. Sleek evening dresses and fine tailoring haven’t disappeared entirely, but outdoor and hiking influences have been steadily infiltrating runways. Louis Vuitton, Givenchy and Prada are all currently selling their versions of hiking boots, a trend that began with independent designer Martine Rose in 2015. Sacai’s recent collaboration with The North Face became a surprise street style hit, popping up in street style photographs of superstar stylist and former Opening Ceremony buyer Kate Foley, as well as mega-producer Pharrell Williams. Even Vogue , America’s most stately fashion bible, recently touted polar fleece as a must-have item for Spring 2018. In 2016, the global outdoor apparel and footwear market was worth an estimated $43.6 billion, so perhaps it’s not surprising fashion labels are finally getting down with the gear.

New York City winters are cold ordeals of freezing rain, snow and howling winds whipping off the rivers and biting to the bone. According to '80s city lore, young drug dealers posted up day and night on the corners of the Bronx, Brooklyn and Harlem were the first to realize that outdoor gear designed to keep climbers alive in subzero temperatures provided the perfect way to keep warm. Graffiti artists exposed to the elements as they wrote at night also found outdoor apparel and footwear suited their needs. The fact most of this gear was brightly colored, expensive and intended for wealthy hikers and skiers only added to its allure.

How Hip-Hop Helped Outdoor Climb to the TOP

It’s unclear exactly when outdoor gear was first worn in an urban context, but the trend began sometime in the late 1980s and became de rigueur by the early 1990s. Although he’s not from the East Coast, rapper Sir-Mix-A-Lot of “Baby Got Back” fame released “Goretex,” an ode to waterproof But designers and fashionistas boots, in 1989. Indeed, GORE-TEX® adopting technical outerwear was an early favorite among urban and boots are mere arrivistes to outdoor gear enthusiasts and the the outdoor scene, arriving on rappers inspired by them, starting by Andrew Luecke the coattails of the '80s NYC a craze for waterproof boots teenagers who pioneered outdoor continuing on the East Coast to gear as an urban style statement. In fact, the current ubiquity this day. Soon exotic, GORE-TEX®-lined boots from Europe and of outdoor gear in fashion stems directly from a combination of the American West were everywhere in New York, with young this youthful creativity, the new reality of climate change, and a people and rappers sporting Dolomite Tibets, Asolo Fugitive GTXs broader thirst for authenticity in the culture at large. and Vasque Sundowners.

Vint age G e ar Addi c t s i n T o m p k i n s S q u ar e P a r k N Y C. Im a g e court e s y Pra v an Phot og ra phy

Col um b i a Sp ort s we a r x Op e ni ng Ce re m ony c ol l a b ora t i on. Im ag e c ourt e s y of Op e ni ng Ce re m ony

Designers and fashionistas adopting technical outerwear and boots are mere arrivistes to the outdoor scene, arriving on the coattails of the '80s NYC teenagers who pioneered outdoor gear as an urban style statement.

Timberland x The North Fac e co llaboration. Image c ourt es y of The Nort h Fac e

Introduced in 1991, The North Face’s Steep Tech jackets were also an early urban favorite, leading to an obsession with technical outerwear among New York City kids and eventually hip-hop fans worldwide. Artists like Big L and Mobb Deep famously wore Helly Hansen, while underground favorites Black Moon sported vivid Columbia rain suits in their 1993 video for “Act Like U Want It.” All the while, everyone from Notorious B.I.G. to Lauryn Hill kept rapping about GORE-TEX® and The North Face, helping make the brand’s Nuptse 700 goose down puffer into hip-hop’s official jacket of the '90s. By the end of the decade, hip hop fans and graffiti artists were also fetishizing Arc’teryx, stealing the technical shells from stores in droves. New York City’s obsession with outdoor gear continued well into the 2000s and as recently as 2013, Marmot had to stop making its Paragon Sports-exclusive “Biggie” parka because it became a target of robberies and violence in the Bronx. None of this initially mattered to high fashion houses, which are notoriously slow to respond to hip-hop call-outs or youth culture trends. But the emergent streetwear scene that melded elements of hip-hop, skateboarding, graffiti, surf and snow into an apparel style all its own was much more responsive. Way back in 2007, Supreme, New York’s streetwear king, released a collaboration with The North Face, kicking off a decade of yearly co-branded collections. Thanks to style-minded artists-slash-designers like Kanye West and Pharrell Williams, high fashion finally fell in love with streetwear. Drawing inspiration from it has made a select few, such as Demna Gvasalia of Vetements and now Balenciaga, famous on a global scale. Savvy Instagram It Girls Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid followed Kanye’s lead and brought streetwear to both high fashion magazines and middle

K a t e F ol e y i n Sa c a i x The N ort h F ac e . Im ag e b y Phi l Oh

American living rooms. In 2017, Supreme created the ultimate high fashion takeover when venerable French fashion house Louis Vuitton sought out the streetwear retailer for a collaboration intended to add a dose of 21st century authenticity to its storied label. Although that collaboration featured few truly outdoor-inspired looks beyond a fanny pack or two, the progression is clear: a look that once appealed only to outdoor enthusiasts is now high fashion thanks to some New York corner kids, rappers and skaters. All this attention has been something of a windfall for outdoor gear manufacturers and fans, as the high fashion collaborations keep coming and many more technical brands leave their footprints on cool kid culture. In addition to a slew of mentions in Vogue and their Sacai collaboration, The North Face just released pieces from a partnership with avant-garde Japanese designer Junya Watanabe that will continue into Spring 2018. This October, the retailer and oracle of coolness Opening Ceremony surprised everyone with an exclusive Columbia collaboration, featuring polar fleece shirts, vintage-style parkas and rain hats. Meanwhile, Pharrell Williams himself came out with a well-timed “Statement Hiking” collection for adidas as part of his ongoing work with the athletic giant.

Original illustrations for The No rth Face Steep Tec h Guide courtesy of Colin Wood ford

This year’s most striking example of the impact outdoor has made in high fashion comes via Kanye’s pal and former streetwear designer Virgil Abloh, whose label Off-White rose to prominence largely due to his eye for incorporating key street-approved outdoor details into his runway collections. After commissioning a pair of hiking boots from Diemme for his mountaineering-inspired Fall 2015 collection, Abloh doubled down on the aesthetic by releasing an entire series of Off-White “Cordura” hiking boots. The style became a cult hit, which led to a collaborative update with Kith’s legendary footwear designer and retailer Ronnie Fieg in extremely limited-edition for their 2017 “Off-Palette” collection. But beyond all this, we’re most excited to see the continual influence of outdoor gear on new macro movements in the culture at large. The so-called “Gorp-Core” trend has led to celebrities and New York icons as diverse as Shia LaBeouf and A$AP Rocky wearing Patagonia, a brand traditionally off the radar of both fashion and hip-hop. Cool collaborations aside, if former child stars and trendsetting rappers wearing the exact same Patagonia fleece Snap-T proves anything, it’s that what keeps drawing new adherents to outdoor gear is a solid history of innovative utility favoring performance rather than image while still looking great.

The twins summiting Denali, Alaska. Image by Jason Ahlan

ungshi and Tashi Malik are true adventurers who have completed the Explorerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grand Slam, which consists of summiting the highest peak on each continent and skiing the North and South Poles. By doing so together, they became the first female twins to summit Mount Everest and the youngest to complete the Grand Slam at the age of 23. Their motivation for high altitude climbing and traversing the arctic has evolved from self-discovery to the empowerment of girls and women. In order to maximize their impact on female empowerment in their homeland of South Asia, the twins started the NungshiTashi Foundation in 2015 to encourage equal and active participation of women in the outdoors by providing public school programs and adventure activities that build confidence, leadership skills and outdoor livelihoods, giving their participants the opportunity to set their sights high and reach their full potential. Recently, Mountain Hardwear launched the Impact Initiative to inspire the public by the impact stories of their ambassadors and spark education, conversation, and ultimately, action. Nungshi and Tashi are two of Mountain Hardwearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ambassadors of Impact, who have a collective mission to inspire people to support solutions to help protect the planet, environmentally and socially. As part of the Impact Initiative, the twins are in good company with other environmentalists, thought leaders, humanitarians and storytellers, such as ecologist Charles Post, Founder and CEO of Rainforest Connection Topher White, and polar explorer Vincent Colliard. The Malik sisters lead by example in their quest to empower young women to become active participants in the outdoors. We had an opportunity to ask them a few questions about what empowers and inspires them in their roles as ambassadors for Mountain Hardwearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Impact Initiative and as leaders in the global outdoor industry.

Tashi loading her gear before crossing the Matanuska Glacier in Alaska

Ambassadors of Impact

Empowering Women to Reach New Heights

Nungshi and Tashi Malik climbing Mt. Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand. Image by Gianni Predan

“As early as we can recall, we were exposed to an ‘out of the box’ upbringing. How many 4-year-olds have gone parasailing?” skiing over 5,000 kilometers over the world’s most remote and coldest places: Antarctica, the Arctic, Patagonia and Greenland. Only a handful have ever completed this challenge!

How did your journey as adventurers begin?

Our dad, [a retired Indian Army officer], had huge influence in making us adventurers. As early as we can recall, we were exposed to an “out of the box” upbringing. How many 4-year-olds have gone parasailing? Our dad took us both together, tied to his back with cadets’ T-shirts, as there was no harness made small enough. Our mom’s love taught us the value of caution, but our dad instilled the sense of daring and risk-taking!

What steps do you see being made for gender equality in the outdoor industry? What could we be doing better?

In recent years, there has been a spurt in the enthusiasm and support for female adventurers. Globally, women comprise less than 25-30% of full-time adventurers. With the explosion of social media, the call for gender equality has gained momentum and impacted the outdoor industry positively. Women in the outdoors have been shouting for more female-driven stories, and thus more brands are providing support for female adventurers and their projects.

How has Mountain Hardwear’s Impact Initiative helped promote your philanthropic work?

The Mountain Hardwear Impact Initiative draws on the universally acknowledged principle that real-life stories inspire the most. Sharing the good work of positive change-makers acts as rocket fuel for the dreams and hopes of others. It’s inspired us to set higher benchmarks and touch as many lives as possible.

Which fellow Ambassadors’ projects serve as an inspiration to you and why?

All the ambassadors of the Impact Initiative are doing exceptional work. However, to us, Topher White’s Rainforest Connection and Vincent Colliard’s IceLegacy projects are most inspiring. Their projects act as a reminder there is a serious weather change happening around the world and as adventurers, we see it firsthand. People need to be cautious of their actions and take steps to protect, preserve, promote and respect nature. Every [Ambassador of Impact] contributes to the environment in an action-driven way, and in our eyes, that’s what brings hope for a better future.

What’s next for the NungshiTashi Foundation in 2018?

We’re planning to launch our foundation’s School Outdoor Learning and Education (SOLE) and girl empowerment program in India. We believe empowered people will be the most passionate about protecting the environment and engage in solutions to emerging challenges. Do you have any expeditions planned for future?

Among our dream adventures is a full-length ski expedition of the world’s four ice caps that will entail

“Women in the outdoors have been shouting for more female-driven stories, and thus more brands are providing support for female adventurers and their projects.” 41

I U O O L V THE WING O R G

by Mary Walsh

here were over 60 of us. The air was March crisp and the snow was firm, a ribbon of white winding its way between borders of tall pines. We veered just close enough to one another to grab mitten-clad hands momentarily before avoiding a collision, smiles plastered on our faces as we pointed it down the mountain. For this moment, the trails of Loon Mountain in New Hampshire were filled with a cascade of women snowboarding and skiing, and the rareness of that many females together in the mountains was electric. As long as women have snowboarded, surfed and skated, we’ve been the minority within boardsports and although this isn’t detrimental

by definition, it has necessitated that we act resiliently to define our role within the greater industry. Currently, we’re hitting a stride. “I see women’s snowboarding, and women’s action sports in general, as the underdog that’s finally coming to have its day,” says Jenna Kuklinski, Marketing Manager of Nikita and Bonfire Outerwear. “The general social attitude of women’s rights awareness tied with the growing number of female athletes has set up a situation where people aren’t afraid to be more vocal and others are really clamoring to see this.” Lesley Betts, Senior Products Manager of Hardgoods at Burton Snowboards is quick to point out how integral women are within the ranks of snowboarding. “We’re seeing more female voices at all levels:

CEOs (Cough, cough, Donna Carpenter!), programs built to support and mentor women as they break into the outdoor industry, and all-girl shred crews. We’re out here,” says Betts. “Plus, 83% of purchasing decisions are made by women, so while it doesn’t match up to the number of female participants in snowboarding, women are an important factor for everyone participating.” This influence is not lost on the industry. Voices resonate. Social media platforms catalyze soapbox change. Brands and media are held more accountable by their constituencies and in the best cases, everyone works together to raise up women via inclusive ad campaigns, imagery of action over lifestyle, grassroots events, and

“When we invite and include females and all non-traditional skateboarders to participate, and empower and support them to continue to do so, the community grows and the industry thrives.” – Kim Woozy, MAHFIA.TV 42

The Passion for Pow de r. J i l l Pe rk i ns a t Snowb i rd , U t a h. Im a g e s b y M a ry Wa l s h

RE g A S n T i R O n d P S A cen do N O I T C n A s A scOeMEN INEVER e W HAN F r C CES O DER T

celebration of athletic achievement. Currently, there is huge momentum as well as necessary discussions. “There are times and places where it feels like the conversation about men’s-versus-women’s anything in action sports is a moot point,” continues Kuklinksi. “And then other times where I have felt completely crushed by the assumptions and actions of brands or individuals. All-in-all, it’s still an uphill project, but it’s been vastly improving.” While gaining ground in such a traditionally male-dominated sphere is a work in progress, there are more and more women adding their skills, ideas and opinions to the collective and spurring their peers to do the same. “There is so much power in the female community as supporters and encouragers,” says Betts.

Powanoia is a new, all-women’s, powder snowboarding film crew. (L to R) Christine Savage, Fancy Rutherford, Riley Elliot and Taylor Elliot take a breather high above Donner Lake while filming in Tahoe.

“The general social attitude of women’s rights awareness tied with the growing number of female athletes has set up a situation where people aren’t afraid to be more vocal about being seen.” – Jenna Kuklinski, Nikita/Bonfire

The Beyond the Boundaries crew, a women’s snowboard tour, takes a break after bootpacking a peak in Chile.

Kim Woozy, founder of MAHFIA.TV, emphasizes the ability of females to affect the status quo via inclusivity and creativity. “As a community, when we invite and include females and all non-traditional skateboarders to participate, and empower and support them to continue to do so, the community grows and the industry thrives. Skateboarding as a whole is constantly re-inventing itself—that’s what makes it so special. Don’t see what you like or want? DIY! The evolution is what makes it unique. Having been involved in the skate industry for the past decade, I can say that right now is an exciting time for women in skateboarding.” As women continue to ask questions, create solutions and invite others to join in, we grow our stake in our communities. There’s possibility before us and the first step is to paddle out, strap or click in and push our way forward. And then we can share these experiences. “What would I love to see more of?” asks Betts. “Storytelling. I’d love to see more women sharing their stories about learning to snowboard, do a new trick or splitboard. There is something truly authentic about hearing it from another babe.”

Iris Lazzareschi, Pro snowboarder and vocal guide helping women get into the backcountry.

Image by Colette McInerney

Storming the Outdoors The Evolution of the Modern Outdoors Woman

by Mara Johnson-Groh

t’s a good time to be a woman. Women are breaking ceilings, opening dialogues and working to eliminate inequalities across the board. A movement similar to some pioneered in the 1960s is currently afoot in the outdoor arena. The last few years in particular have delivered a sweeping avalanche of change in the modern outdoors woman’s identity. Women are storming the outdoors, a sphere too long deemed in Western culture as a “man’s place,” and they’re not asking permission to do so.

options for technical gear, women still find inequalities in the outdoors. One of the most discussed remaining issues for women is the problem with representative imagery.

“The perception of who participates in outdoor activities is no longer just a ‛25-to-35-year-old white male.’ We are all ages, genders, races, social classes and occupations,” says Julie Ellison, devoted climber and the first female Editor-in-Chief of Climbing Magazine.

And what we’ve typically seen, Slagle says, is the viewpoint created by male action sports photographers who produce 80% of the industry content. For example, women bikers, when they’re even shown, are often featured standing next to their bikes, instead of riding them in action shots as men are typically portrayed.

Tired of being sidelined and ignored, female leaders and influencers are spearheading campaigns and conversations, challenging old notions about what women can and can’t do outside. While many positive changes have already occurred—like the progression of women’s gear from nonexistent to pink and flowery—before landing on today’s

“I think photography is really powerful because it shows instead of tells,” says Lisa Slagle, Founder and CEO of Wheelie Creative, an agency focused on featuring women both on-screen and behind the lens. “When you have a camera in your hands, you show people what you see.”

Slagle isn’t alone in pushing for better women’s representation. Lynsey Dyer, a professional skier, set out to create a ski movie featuring aspects of the community traditionally left out of adventure films. She ended up with Pretty Faces, a blockbuster success in 2014 that highlighted female athletes. Similarly, the Never Not Collective, a female-run

production company, is working on the first feature-length climbing film exclusively produced by and starring women. “There are so many incredible women doing so many incredible things, but we don’t see them reflected in films,” Dyer says. “I wanted to give young girls better role models and expose them to these amazing women that do exist. We just don’t see them promoted.” In addition to reshaping the narrative through images, women are raising their voices to advocate and share their own experiences. Diverse storytelling is a cornerstone of Gale Straub’s website and podcast, She Explores, created to elevate women’s voices and visuals in the outdoors. Straub strives to create depth and narrative in her work to engage women with the outdoors as well as each other. “As women, we are going to tell different stories and offer alternative perspectives to what a man might show,” says Ellison, one of the creative minds behind Never Not Collective. “We’re really ready to tell stories that have otherwise been overlooked.”

“It’s hilarious it’s been labeled as 'that whole women’s thing,’” Slagle says. “It’s not a thing, it’s our life.” 44

Images 2 and 3 by Wheelie Creative

A desire for storytelling, especially from perspectives that have been underrepresented, is widely craved as images are becoming increasingly inauthentic, where models often replace athletes and Instagram scenes are carefully posed. Many women have become frustrated as their very identities are now targeted as a marketing ploy by companies hoping to turn a profit. “It’s hilarious it’s been labeled as ‛that whole women’s thing,’” Slagle says. “It’s not a thing, it’s our life.” Indeed, for some, simply defining the “outdoors woman” identity can be confining. “Even talking about women can be limiting for people who are more gender fluid,” notes Straub. The transformation of the modern outdoors woman in the end is not just about women or people who don’t identify as male.

“It’s important that we involve all voices in this work. To exclude anyone is to limit the progress that we are capable of,” says Teresa Baker. “I think men play a vital role in pushing women forward… having them be faces that are up front, making decisions for the outdoor industry companies as a whole.” While mixed-gender support is necessary, the current driving force of change is women encouraging women. Most of today’s female leaders honed their skills in the outdoors as the sole woman in a group of men, which often created a competitive atmosphere. Now, women in all outdoors disciplines are stepping up to give back, helping to inspire and educate others in a more inclusive environment. “I think that it’s important that women are teaching women. It reinforces that we can be experts, that we can be decision makers, that we can be leaders,” says Shelma Jun, Founder of the Women’s Climbing

Festival and Flash Foxy, an online women’s climbing community. “When we support each other, we’re stronger together. And it’s more fun.” This tone of collaboration heralds a promising outlook for the future of the outdoors woman, which will undoubtedly continue to rapidly evolve in the next few years. Women in all areas are tackling issues on their own terms and creating solutions. While females have historically been portrayed as the weaker sex and unfit for the outdoors, these women leaders have shown there is no evidence to support that claim. “In the past, we’ve felt like we’re just waiting for an invitation,” Dyer says. “My message is to stop waiting for an invitation…our job in being on the planet is to create where we see things missing, not to be angry at someone else for not creating it.”

Having developed their skills and crafts in an often isolated and male-dominated culture, women in the outdoors are ready to give back and inspire the next wave of feminine outdoor enthusiasts. These organizations and nonprofits are just a small sampling of ways women are coming together to create a supportive outdoors community. She Jumps

The nonprofit She Jumps, co-founded by Lynsey Dyer, works to increase female participation in the outdoors through youth initiatives, outdoor education programs, ski mountaineering courses, grassroots gatherings and more. www.shejumps.org

Wheelhouse Workshops

Lisa Slagle is working to get cameras into the hands of more women with a series of photography workshops aimed at helping women learn tricks of the trade, like how to shoot in difficult lighting, work with pros and train for strenuous photo shoots in the mountains. www.wheelhouseworkshops.com Hike Like a Woman

She Explores

The brainchild of Gale Straub, She Explores is a website and podcast for creative and inquisitive outdoors women, and has featured hundreds of women’s stories and art. The site recently launched a spin-off podcast, Women on the Road, with interviews of women in various stages of life on the road. www.she-explores.com

Women’s Climbing Festival

To provide a space for “camaraderie, conversation, connection and climbing,” Shelma Jun started the Women’s Climbing Festival in 2016. The event, which started as a small, tentative undertaking, has garnered immense success and expanded to two festivals annually. www.flashfoxy.com/wcf

In 2014, Rebecca Walsh set out to create an inclusive online space for women of all ages, shapes, ethnicities and sexualities. She launched the Hike Like a Woman website, which has since expanded into a podcast, magazine and online courses, providing a home to a growing community of women inspiring women, on and off trail. www.hikelikeawoman.net

R e-membering N H E W otes on unting, cology and

ildness

by Lindsey Elliott

here’s this thing that connects us globally and interspecially in an instant. We gather around it, travel the world for it, punctuate our cultures with it, and dramatically adapt our landscapes to support it. It is often the foundation of our celebrations, our health and our happiness. Food. It’s easy to forget how food makes us animals. We’ve evolved with so many tools unrecognizable to other species, and yet, we are bound to the same trophic systems as every other living thing on Earth. The deer eats aspen leaves as we eat lettuce leaves. Growth, death, decay—the water and soil cycles. It all repeats. No matter your dietary preferences, we all farm, forage and feast on the same living

systems. It is because of this that we are inextricably linked as members and stewards of our ecosystems. No impact goes unfelt. Lately, I am re-membering my ecosystem as a hunter. Not by way of tradition or family lineage, but by way of necessity from my long road studying ecology and genetically modified agriculture. As a farmer, I learned the daily demand of plant and animal husbandry pairs terribly with my tendencies as an outdoors woman to wander for days on end. As a permaculture designer, I learned that the wilderness is its own garden to tend, just the same. And as an ecologist, I learned our modern land practices of privatization, development and habitat fragmentation have a huge impact on our migratory species’ ability to survive. In a sense, the only thing left for me is hunting, and it is by no means a simple relationship.

The conditions are extreme—cold, exhaustion, steep terrain. It demands an immediate reckoning with some of the most archaic values on Earth. Three days of hunting mule deer in the Uintas can feel like an eternity, or rather, an experience unbound by time and only clocked by the coming and going of light. When I return, I feel trapped, somewhere in between an ancestral, instinctual existence and one of modernity. While I vacillate between the beauty and complexity, I also feel a sense of belonging to my ecosystem and in the grottos of my soul, like I’ve faced a core element of my humanness and what it means to feed myself. I begin to embody the nourishment and will spend the next year doing so with full reverence with my community. Ever-connected, re-membered and home.

I mage by J ainee D ial

“It’s easy to forget how food makes us animals.”

Rise of the Non-Conference

Im a g e b y Pe t e r Am e nd

Connections are Forged Beyond Convention Center Walls

by Kalin Stewart

ou know the feeling. Gathered around a campfire with friends and a strong cup of coffee or a flask of whiskey, the grip of the daily grind loosens. Conversation flows freely among the trees. Stripped of your to-do lists and unanswered emails, you find it easier to hold the gaze of the person sitting next to you. Out of the fresh air an idea is born. A perspective is shifted. Such is the draw of new community-driven, immersive outdoor summits and retreats designed to help creatives, brands and media wring out their digitally saturated lives and cultivate the kinds of experiences no amount of clicking and scrolling can produce. A key example is the Outpost, a synergistic amalgam of trade show, retreat and festival brought to life by innovators who saw an opportunity to create an event to be everything traditional conferences are not: curated, collaborative, aesthetically pleasing and conducted in the environments where each brand’s products are meant to be used. Exploring the borders of what is normally considered outdoor culture, the Outpost organizers intentionally fuse industry staples with elements of food, art, technology, music and design. “We’re taking a much wider view of the space,” says Outpost CEO Ken Manning. “We have this eclectic mix of people so that

you’re getting ideas from other walks of life that you wouldn’t have come away with from an ordinary conference.”

“It’s not only that they’re unplugged, but that they’re seeing and listening to people in a different way.” Bobbilee Hartman dreamt up Lodged Out, an unplugged haven for makers and doers, with a similar vision. Nestled in the forest, the retreat blends outdoor activities with hands-on workshops led by entrepreneurs and artists while leaving room for bonds to form beside a fire. Commonality is not found in their mediums or industries, but via an intrinsic desire to create. “I want to attract people who see themselves as creative and aren’t tying themselves to an identity,” she says. “It’s not only that they’re unplugged, but that they’re seeing and listening to people in a different way that’s so powerful.”

Of course, finding distance from our digital selves is no easy feat. We exist in a world where communities form underneath our fingertips, with ideas expressed in hashtags at all hours of the day and night. This isn’t all to our detriment. In fact, it seems as though some of the most meaningful work is done when the energy of the Internet is brought out into the open air. REI has grown a mighty movement of outdoor movers and shakers through social media, but they’ve also thrown their weight behind a unique series of immersive three-day retreats. Held in outdoor playgrounds from New Hampshire to the Pacific Northwest, REI Outessa brings together a diverse group of women for a weekend of choose-your-ownadventure style recreating. Brand-supported activities run the gamut from “Kayaking 101” to “How to Start a Fire” and allow attendees to create their own itineraries based on experience levels and interests. Outpost, Lodged Out and REI Outessa each offer a different set of experiences, but sing to a similar tune. Indicative of more than our growing aversion to fluorescent lighting and forced business interactions, events like these signal a turning of the tide. As technology tries to consume us, we’re actively seeking ways to lessen its grip. We’re craving time away from our screens and tapping into a primal need to gather, using the ideal backdrop of the wild places where the echoes of our communal past still resonate.

Images courtesy of CORDURA®

BEHIND EVERY DURABLE BRAND IS...

@CORDURAGIRL

Global CORDURA® Brand and Marketing Director Cindy McNaull

ynthetic fibers continue to fuel innovation within the outdoor, work and tactical industries at an unprecedented rate. The value of U.S. man-made fiber and filament, textile and apparel shipments totaled an estimated $74.4 billion in 2016, an increase of 11% since 2009. Consumers are demanding more out of their apparel, footwear and accessories than ever before. Meant to function in a variety of environments for an assortment of end uses, products with descriptions like “light and fast” are quickly outpacing phrases like “tried and true.” CORDURA® is at the forefront of this multifunction movement and throughout the last 50 years, they’ve provided customers with a diverse portfolio of responsive, innovative textile solutions. Dedicated to finding best-in-class durable solutions for those that value long-lasting performance, their close-knit technical development team works with their authorized mills and designers across multiple categories from the concept stage through to fabric adoption. Built on a foundation of durability, solving old school problems with new school solutions drives this collaborative creative process. Passionately leading the charge for fresh thinking is Global CORDURA® Brand and Marketing Director Cindy McNaull. She joined the INVISTA team a little over 10 years ago and has become the very definition of durability. Her brain always works

at lightning speed while she rises with the sun in a new time zone virtually every week. With her notebook in one hand and phone in the other, Cindy is already busy connecting the dots for CORDURA® brand customers before you’ve had a chance to hit snooze on the alarm clock. “We’re always on the move, collaborating with mill and brand partners to help keep our finger on the pulse of consumer unmet needs that enable us to craft next generation products. Our company’s strong focus on performance fabric technologies helps us to innovate and stay true to our brand heritage while building durable solutions our customers depend on.” But setting the standard for durability is only the beginning. In 2018 with their newly minted “Live Durable™” launch, CORDURA® is taking a fully integrated 360-degree approach to storytelling and product. Cindy says this initiative is rooted in the fact that “we know people Live Durable™, but no matter how they do it—whether it’s working on the job, adventuring in the mountains, or navigating their daily commute—CORDURA® fabrics are designed to enhance and enable whatever journey they’re on by providing best-in-class, built-to-last fabric solutions.” In addition to expanding these 360-degree narratives, CORDURA® will also utilize market insight trends to inform their development process. Quite literally moving the needle for brand customers and partners from motorsports to

military, CORDURA® fabrics will be curated into functional categories highlighting user-friendly attributes like “Performance Naturals” and “Light Yet Strong.” Not only will this help humanize the world of performance textiles and man-made fibers, but it’ll also provide customers with clear, informed options for expanding the potential of their product lines. Whenever we talk textiles with Cindy, she goes into a transcendental state of focus. Whether she’s identifying unique currents influencing the industry or talking shop about the latest trends, she’s always giving a uniquely prescient assessment of where we’re headed. “Workwear and outdoor are influencing each other in new and unexpected ways. We’re seeing the built-in performance attributes typically associated with outdoor product adding value and versatility to everyday workwear. Increased range of motion, moisture management, and enhanced durability are all important attributes for the job site. It’s a two-way street where the fast-paced lifestyles we’re living today demand functional and wearable pieces that deliver when it counts.”

Built on a foundation of durability, solving old school problems with new school solutions drives this collaborative creative process. When it comes to the evolution of the CORDURA® brand story, Cindy is personally passionate about their initiative for sustainability. In 2018, CORDURA® is rolling out some pretty cool projects focused on eco-efficiency improvements, such as their recent collaboration with Dupont Tate and Lyle Susterra® bio-based coatings and membranes, and expanding their solution dyeing capabilities with a significant new investment in their Camden, South Carolina facility. Explaining the thinking behind these projects, Cindy points out that “today’s consumers are all about social consciousness in the world around them. This means developing fabrics that are in it for the long haul, or as we at CORDURA® like to say, fabrics based on our belief that ‛Sustainability Begins With Products That Last™.’” Cindy McNaull and the CORDURA® brand team will continue to exemplify the cutting edge of breakthrough textile technologies. When heritage meets innovation, future generations of CORDURA® fabrics will ultimately combine the comfort and aesthetics of familiarity with the “hidden science” of tomorrow. jeanine pesce

DESIGNER IN FOCUS

Karuna Scheinfeld of Canada Goose on the Meaning of Integrity, Leadership and Communicating Your Vision A lot has happened recently for Canada Goose, such as the opening of retail outlets, investments in e-commerce and a new knitwear line. What are you most excited about working on in the coming year?

I think it’s an exciting moment for the brand, where the company is realizing its global potential, and how much the authenticity and integrity of its product adds value on a global level. To be able to look at what that authenticity means for an elevated global presence is really exciting. It’s not a category for me, it’s not a product line. It’s about the challenge. How do you continue to grow a brand with so much integrity in an industry where the faster you grow, the faster you tend to fall? How do you take that and do it right? How do you see the idea of integrity in design as related to the heritage of Canada Goose?

Images courtesy of Canada Goose

esigner Karuna Scheinfeld’s career is defined by a rare combination of curiosity, commitment to authenticity and respect for the end user. She looks for the magic in every season by bringing the humanity into design development, beginning with collaborative research free of ego and relationships with production partners who take integrity personally. Valuing people is a constant in Karuna’s experience in the outdoor industry, from appreciation of the mentors she learns from, respect for the teams she builds, or responsibility to the people who buy her work. For almost 20 years, Karuna has worked with brands like Woolrich and Ralph Lauren to create products that add value to the life of the consumer. We spoke with her during the first season of her new position as VP of Design at Canada Goose about knowing when to stand your ground, the power of learning to delegate and the highest compliment a designer can get.

Part of the value I add comes from having spent years thinking about why something is the right thing to create. To consider: if we can make anything in the world, why would we make this thing? I get to make a bridge between all of this incredible product originally created to solve extreme problems and really pull it apart to understand how we can make an average person’s life better. Related to making lives better, what is the outdoor consumer looking for at the moment?

What the industry is coming up against is the fallacy that certain design traditions and details in outdoor are actually more functional. Seeing how people are actually wearing product and how much crossover between industries there are is forcing outdoor to ask, “Is that truly functional? What does functional mean now?” The customer has experienced really functional garments, but they don’t want to only get that function when they’re outdoors in nature. People innovating with a more holistic point of view are going to be really successful while those stuck looking at it from one end use are not.

“Part of the value I add comes from having spent years thinking about why something is the right thing to create. To consider: if we can make anything in the world, why would we make this thing?” It relates to the function people are experiencing from every single object in their lives. It’s revolutionary what’s happened in the last 10 years, so it changes the consumer’s attitude and opens up the door for them to potentially pay more for something that is really better and changes their quality of life. This is also a burden to bear as a design leader—a Canada Goose jacket can be an investment, which is a huge responsibility because I have to make sure I’m providing something that’s worth it. Many collections you’ve been a part of have been very fully formed in terms of narrative inspiration. How does developing a story fit into your own design process?

How it happens is actually very magical and serendipitous, and I’ve been getting better at allowing that magic to happen rather than forcing it. At the beginning, we’re just collecting—garments, fabrics, experiences, something our grandfather gave us. Anything making us feel excited and that has meaning for the brand. I don’t need to know why. I just need to have a feeling about it and want my team to bring it in. Some of the best ideas, the best little nuggets, come from somebody in random spaces. It could be a customer, it could be a pattern maker, it could be a salesperson. It could be a materials representative who has been working with the brand for 30 years and he has this jacket he’s had for 20 years and tells us this crazy story about it. So I collect until I can’t collect anymore and have to nail something down. At that point, it’s been simmering for a while and usually things are bubbling to the top. A concept, a name, an experience, a place—something starting to connect all of these seemingly random pieces. In the best seasons, those are the magic moments when the collection has a real power, which everybody feels. It’s this domino effect that is really amazing and exciting and eventually reaches all the way to the end consumer. After having those experiences, nothing less feels like it’s good enough.

It seems clear what excites you about design, but how has that excitement evolved? What excites you now versus when you were starting out?

It’s become way more sophisticated in the sense that I have higher expectations of what integrity means. To me, that’s asking are you doing something for the right reasons, and do you even know what those reasons are? I want to make things that people keep forever and don’t want to throw away. To create objects people are so attached to, that work so well, that are so beautiful, useful and meaningful, they just can’t give them up. That is the highest compliment I could get. What is the best idea you learned from your mentors over the years?

The way they lived. They didn’t compromise and really took chances in service of better design. My mentors showed me the right way to do that, trying hard to overcome obstacles and working well with other people, but ultimately standing your ground, having a strong point of view, and never giving up that sense of product first. It’s not about ego or arrogance, it’s about standing for something. What knowledge have you picked up on how to manage people and work with a team?

Nobody ever trained me in any kind of management skill, ever. I don’t think that’s a good thing, let me make that clear. I had to figure it out. I believe in unknowable things, like chemistry and talent, and believe intuition is part of a great designer. So I trust those things, but I also learned

to delegate and express myself to my team so I didn’t have to do everything myself. That’s a value I have—if I’m the only one who can do it, and nobody can do better, then I’ve failed as a leader. So I delegate and it becomes about humility because suddenly they’re having better ideas than I had. When you embrace that and have the confidence to say, “I couldn’t have done this without you,” something incredible happens because you’re able to function as a sum of more than your own skills and talents. But you have to be able to let go of your ego and know admitting your idea wasn’t as good doesn’t make you a weak leader. It makes you a strong one. How often are companies allowing designers to take that type of leadership role?

A lot of companies look at design as something they have to control. They’re almost a bit scared of designers and think of them as these crazy people that need to be guided and controlled. It’s not often you find designers growing into C-level positions, but I think that’s a mistake. Companies that invest deeply in creative talent and give them the breadth to move beyond the normal constraints of creative roles gain an incredible edge. As you’ve become one of those leaders, how do you see your overall approach to the Canada Goose customers evolving?

We’ve talked a lot about whether the customer has given us permission to make something, trying to understand their perspective and whether something feels like it’s “Canada Goose” or not. Knitwear felt like Canada Goose and there are a lot of other things I think feel like Canada Goose, but the company has a lot of patience. Anything worth doing is worth doing right. I really respect that. It makes me feel respected as a designer and it makes me confident we’re going to continue to come out with best-in-class product no matter what we do. Having that feel like a covenant is pretty powerful. You feel responsible for living up to your customers’ expectations and even upping the ante to provide them with something that’s n i n a s tot le r better than they ever imagined.

In the best seasons, those are the magic moments when the collection has a real power, which everybody feels. It’s this domino effect that is really amazing and exciting and eventually reaches all the way to the end consumer. After having those experiences, nothing less feels like it’s good enough. 51

Wâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;MENSWEAR AW17 BY LAUREN YATES Clothing For Hard-Hitting Women

Clothing: Wâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Menswear, Ponytail Journal Footwear: Blundstone Accessories: Pilgrim Surf + Supply Bags: Public Supply, Baggu

Talent: Pauline Camille Production + Creative: Hotel Mazatlan Photography: Maz McWilliams

Art Direction: Eva Vaughan Collages: Jonathan Cammisa Stylist: Nick Depillips Prop Stylist: Rose Kennedy

Established in 2015, Wâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;menswear is a considered collection of workwear basics reimagined for the contemporary tomboy. Created by Lauren Yates, the one-woman army behind the cult blog Ponytail Journal, the brand is a direct reflection of her diverse and distinct signature style. Inspired in part by the painterly landscapes of France, Yates produces the entire line in her native Thailand, incorporating traditional practices like indigo dying and handmade textiles as an homage to the artisan roots of eastern culture.

t some point in your life, you’ve probably stumbled on a parental stash of outdoorsy polaroids or Super 8 footage from their youth. Forgotten in the attic behind the holiday decorations, these dusty albums are often filled with grainy images of rad dads in cozy flea market flannels and mountain mommas living it up in their camp shorts. Odds are they’re both sporting wool socks and brown leather hiking boots with red laces. Unknowingly outfitted in some of the most iconic gear ever produced, our parents were inherently #blessed with the right amount of know-how and classic cool needed to navigate the great outdoors with ease and attitude. We sat down with Joe Peters, Head of Marketing at Vasque to discuss what it means to balance heritage with innovation and why he’s super proud to be part of a brand still making the boots your parents were likely wearing in those archival family photos.

Im a g e s court e s y of Vas q ue F oot we a r

Vasque Footwear Trusted on the Trail Since 1964

your pack, poles or beacon because we believe footwear worn on the trail plays a vital role in giving our passionate users a confidence they can I’m the Head of Marketing at Vasque. I ended trust while pushing their own personal boundaries up in outdoor via luck, really. I was absolutely a and exploring incredible places all over the world. corporate robot at a large major retailer before I discovered the industry. I knew after just a few Vasque has been “Trusted on the Trail since days with Vasque I’d found something special, 1964,” but specifically when and where was the working with a brand that supports personal company founded? discovery of places out there that require curiosity, which I’ve always gravitated to. I took the idea of The company was founded in 1964 in Red Wing, working for a brand that deals specifically in the Minnesota and the concept of “Trust on the Trail” trail seriously in how I’ve envisioned where we’ll came to life from countless stories provided to us by users throughout the years. Combing through hike, you know? 58 years worth of testimonials, the theme woven How would you describe Vasque to someone into each and every story was the unwavering trust people have in Vasque. Trust can’t be gained who isn’t familiar with the brand? overnight, so with a nod to the fact that we’ve Vasque—no, not “Basque” or “Vasque’eh”— been doing this for decades, trust is an earned Vasque rhymes with “cask.” We’re a brand that title we take very seriously. “Trust on the Trail has built trail footwear for 54 years and played since 1964.” a major part in how people discover the outdoors since we began in 1964. We refer to the footwear How does Vasque balance innovation and we make as “gear,” just like you’d refer to heritage when making footwear relevant for the What is your role at Vasque and how did you end up in the outdoor industry?

modern outdoors?

Who are some of the Vasque brand ambassadors?

Our ambassadors are the life of this brand and are a diverse group of people who genuinely love the trail. From adventure-orientated people like Kelly Dona and Mason Boring to Zac Barbiasz, a former Vasque-backed Thru-Hike-Syndicate member who hiked the PCT, we’re honored to partner with some incredible individuals. Recently, we joined forces with San Juan Mountain Guides based in Ouray, Colorado as their footwear partner to outfit trusted guides year-round while they educate clients and experience the magic that is the San Juan Mountains. How does Vasque maintain relationships with its core consumers while building lasting relationships with new customers?

Innovation has always been paramount to Vasque. I like to talk people through the development of something like the Glacier, which was launched in 1975. It was packed with innovation and while we look at it today and consider it a classic, this shoe was the definition of innovation and technology in 1975. Back in those days, a leather insole, three-layered fiberglass midsole and a full-grain leather upper was the epitome of technology, made of the most durable materials available. We’ve gone back into the archives within the last few years because, quite simply, people asked us to. While innovation has stayed central to our focus, there is something nostalgic about lacing up a pair of boots your parents wore hiking for their honeymoon 30-plus years ago. I think we all like to pay homage to those who came before us, and while people absolutely come to Vasque for the latest on-trail innovations, they also look to us and our archives to find the boots your mom and dad likely saved up for in college. We’re endlessly proud of that.

Vasque has some pretty cool friends. Can you tell us more about the organizations you work closely with that promote getting people on the trail?

We believe while our main function is providing gear you can trust on the trail, we also do whatever we can to ensure trails are continuously forged and existing trails are maintained. We’ve been long-standing partners of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Pacific Crest Trail Association and the Continental Divide Trail Coalition to ensure that. In addition to maintaining trails, we’re committed to helping everyone gain access to the outdoors, so we’re proud of our partnership with Big City Mountaineers as it gets kids, who may not otherwise have the chance, out of the city and into the outdoors. We’re also the official footwear partner of the Trail Mavens, a California-based company offering guided overnight trips that empower women to try everything from camping in Big Sur and Yosemite to kayaking in California’s Tomales Bay.

This is the question that is being discussed by every brand within the industry, right? We maintain our relationships with core consumers by staying on the trail. We remain true to the qualities that have always driven this brand: honesty, originality, truth in fit, durability and the service we provide to those who wear Vasque. When we talk about introducing new customers to Vasque, we also stay true to those qualities as they’re the essence of the brand. Since we’re based in Minnesota, talking about ourselves is not in our DNA, and I believe that’s part of the magic of Vasque. We can be found on the trail, so to truly find Vasque and understand us, you’ll need to get out to the trailhead. Why was it important to reissue some of the iconic Vasque silhouettes like the Sundowner and the Skywalk?

These boots defined the way we go outside, and such thoughtful and timeless design should always be hiking those same trails our parents did. jeanine pesce

ASKOV FINLAYSON Keeping the North Cold

he Askov Finlayson flagship store in Minneapolis was founded by brothers Andrew and Eric Dayton in 2011 to offer high quality and timeless product from brands not available in the area at that time, as well as their own eponymous line. Named in an homage to two neighboring towns in Northern Minnesota on the route to and from their family’s beloved cabin, Askov Finlayson has made serious

moves since its inception, both with its product offering and support for environmentally responsible practices and climate change solutions. We caught up with Vice President of Environmental Impact and Policy Adam Fetcher to learn more about the flagship store, Askov Finlayson’s dedication to combating climate change through its Keep the North Cold initiative, and what’s happening next.

When people visit the Askov Finlayson flagship store, what’s the vibe they can expect?

How is Askov Finlayson employing sustainable practices in the manufacturing of its line?

The shop is an extension of the Askov Finlayson brand, so we want people to understand the values driving our company: a spirit of year-round outdoor exploration, the cold winters and creativity that define the North, and our deep commitment to protecting those things by confronting climate change. We try hard to be purposeful with the store. For people embracing a four-season outdoor lifestyle, every item we carry needs to serve a clear purpose. Quality, functionality and great design are vital. Of course, climate change is a serious issue, so we try to keep things fun and optimistic, too. We carry the world’s smallest cribbage board and it’s one of our most popular items.

Building a more environmentally responsible supply chain is a major priority, and we’ve made some important changes so far, like transitioning to 100% organic cotton in our North tees this past year. But we’re also rethinking our fundamental business model. We’re thinking creatively about how we can deploy resources toward solving climate change in direct relation to our negative environmental impact, so that we create a net positive for the planet. It’s no longer enough to simply reduce the harm we cause. We need to reverse it. That’s our long-term vision and we’re excited to keep you updated on what’s to come.

The company is dedicated to combating climate change by working with Climate Generation. How does the program work and how does it contribute to the education of high school students to become leaders in the climate change fight?

To confront a challenge as massive as climate change, we need to be thinking generationally. Climate Generation empowers young people to lead their peers, lead their communities and eventually lead the world in developing and implementing solutions to climate change. The organization was founded by our friend Will Steger, the legendary Minnesota-based polar explorer and climate change activist. His vision was to use education to prepare high schoolers for success in a world

Images courtesy of Askov Finlayson

“We’re working to connect people to the issue of climate change in new and interesting ways. This is notoriously hard, but I think we can do it by offering a positive vision for the future and redefining the consumer’s role as it relates to the environment.” Our mission to Keep the North Cold will play a more fundamental role in how we do business going forward. First, I’m working to measure and reduce our environmental footprint. Everything we do takes a toll on the planet and we need to assess the damage so we can act meaningfully to address it. Second, I’m leading the development of a new model for translating the harm we create into even greater positive impact, creating an overall net benefit from our company’s operations for the planet. This is where we can be really bold, and we’ll be ready to share details in the coming months. Third, we’re working to connect people to the issue of climate change in new and interesting ways. This is notoriously hard, but I think we can do it by offering a positive vision for the future and redefining the consumer’s role as it relates to the environment. Keep the North Cold is about envisioning a healthier, more prosperous future where we can continue our winter traditions here in the North. We’re actively growing our network of support for organizations on the leading edge of climate change solutions and working to become a certified B Corp ourselves.

in which our planet is at serious risk. Climate Generation is our founding Keep the North Cold partner, and we’re proud our support has helped empower more than 1,500 future climate leaders over the past three years. You recently joined Askov Finlayson as their VP of Environmental Impact and Policy. What are some of the ways you are growing the company’s implementation of Keep the North Cold? Are there any new initiatives that will be rolled out in the near future you can share?

I’m really excited about the direction we’re headed. I joined Askov Finlayson because I saw in Eric Dayton a willingness to lead courageously on climate and a vision for ambitious innovation on behalf of the planet. We share the belief that conventional business is a losing strategy for the long term. To succeed in business, we must upend our entire approach to solve the world’s biggest existential threat.

What’s next for Askov Finlayson? Will the line be expanding or are there any new initiatives on the horizon?

We’re experiencing change in absolutely every area. Our team is growing and we’re in the process of bringing on a senior designer to lead product development. We’re expanding our line of clothing and accessories, while increasing relevance to the outdoor customer, especially for cold winter activities. We’ll be embedding our Keep the North Cold mission into every aspect of the business and making an important announcement about our business model moving forward. We’re working to strengthen our ability to tell stories and expand our audience. In February, Minneapolis will play host to the “Bold North” Super Bowl—the biggest moment yet for the growing North movement, which began as a hat in our shop five years ago. So, I feel confident saying you’ll hear more from us soon. alex gom e s

Image courtesy of Best Made Co.

RAD Retailers

Inspiring Spaces for Adventurous Consumers

Best Made Co. / New York, NY

Inspired by a love of making unique items with his own two hands, Peter Buchanan-Smith started Best Made Co. to celebrate handmade, useful and high-quality products that help his customers explore, learn and accomplish great things. Located in Tribeca, Best Madeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New York City location offers apparel, tools and gear for your home and campsite, and makes sure to include something for your furry best friend with their Beast Made line of bowls, leashes and beds. The store also hosts a rotating roster of both free public and paid private workshops on key topics like axe restoration and foraged cocktails, while their regular weekly Blade Hour event focuses on knife sharpening skills taught by the friendly Best Made staff.

Days / Los Angeles, CA

Image courtesy of Days

Days is a unique retail-meets-community space curated by Hiking Club LA co-founder Nora Beckman. Similar to a gallery space, the Los Feliz storefront is an ever-changing assortment of special pieces such as Male Glaze, a new local handmade collection of ceramics from Alex Miller, hardwood jewelry by Portland-based Formina or the wild-foraged tinctures, powders and oils of Zizia Botanicals, whose sales help fund a free monthly herb clinic for the Skid Row community. Questioning the limits of what a retail store can actually be, Days brings in new collections and hosts events organized around a different theme every three months. Keep an eye on their website for more details on the next iteration launching mid-February.

Wayward / Seattle, WA

Have you ever visited a perfectly decorated home and wanted to grab everything for your own abode? Then you should stop by YOWIE in Phillyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Queen Village because you can pretty much do just that. A home and lifestyle shop founded by native Philadelphian and designer Shannon Maldonado, YOWIE sells a curated collection of handmade and unique objects made by her independent artists and designer friends. After a shopping trip to YOWIE, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be the one whose space is highly coveted by all who step foot inside. alex gom e s

Inspiring Spaces for Adventurous Consumers

YOWIE / Philadelphia, PA

RAD Retailers

Image courtesy of YOWIE

Image by Jake Hanson

Wayward was founded as a gathering place for dreamers, seekers and adventurers to access high quality products and join a like-minded community within the walls of their retail shops. Expanding this past September, Wayward has put down new roots just a few blocks away from Westlake Park in Seattle. This one-stop shop for all your outdoor needs is full of RANGE favorites, including Filson outerwear and bags, Parks Project tees, Red Wing boots and YETI coolers, as well as film and cameras from Lomography to document your excursions.

Shop Talk The Future of Retail in Transformation by Aarika Hernandez

s outdoor culture becomes more accessible, we will continue to see an industry in transformation, one of continuous openness and camaraderie with more diverse participants adopting a looser and more fluid cultural lifestyle. With this idea in mind, we talked shop with Huckberry’s Chief Merchandising Officer, Ali Ruhfel, and Snow Peak’s East Coast Sales Coordinator, Hazel Rogerson, to have them weigh in on the changing landscape of outdoor retail.

Hazel Rogerson: Outdoor in general is evolving into more of a lifestyle, as opposed to the really hardcore, old-school, activity-oriented place. Before, you were a serious backpacker, mountain biker or skier. Now people want to be able to dip their toe into all of that, but they don’t want to feel pressured to commit to be so extreme.

Richer in-store experience:

Hazel Rogerson: People are starting to appreciate going to their local retailers. Because retailers are focusing more on providing an experience for their customers, that makes them want to come in and shop in their stores as opposed to buying things online. Whether it’s because of relationships they have with that store owner or the staff, it just feels more personal. People talk a lot about the death of retail. It’s not really the death of retail, just the death of bad retail. Those big box stores are falling to the wayside and it’s because they’re a lot less personal than your traditional one-door brick-and-mortars.

What are the most important changes impacting the outdoor industry?

Increasingly inclusive:

Hazel Rogerson: Diversity and inclusiveness are definitely becoming more important. People are starting to get a bit more confident in themselves and their place in the outdoor industry. Previously marginalized groups are starting to feel more included and getting more jobs in the outdoor industry. This allows for others to feel more comfortable and excited to get outdoors.

Ali Ruhfel: It comes down to the customer experience and personalization. If the e-commerce companies are able to have deep intimacy and understanding of their customers and help them find the right products among all the options out there, they will be able to take retail to the next level. Maybe that’s a more personalized trip that people can actually buy or a pop-up experience giving people the opportunity to get outside, connect with likeminded people, and build a community and a place for themselves in the outdoors.

From activity to lifestyle:

Ali Ruhfel: The industry is less intimidating than it used to be. You don’t have to be planning to climb Mount Everest in order to get in and be accepted. Now there’s so much more accessibility whether it’s through social media and influencers, the versatility of brands and products, or the types of retailers out there, there is so much more accessibility to the culture.

“It’s not really the death of retail, just the death of bad retail. Those big box stores are falling to the wayside and it’s because they’re a lot less personal.” - Hazel Rogerson, Snow Peak

(L to R) Ali Ruhfel, Image by Durwood Marshburn. Hazel Rogerson, Image by Nicole Mason.

The future is personal:

Flexibility + Inspiration 5 Tips For Starting A Successful Brand by Aarika Hernandez

o one knows the importance and power of a strong visual narrative to build a compelling brand story more than Mountain Standard’s Digital Content Director Brennah Rosenthal. While developing her career, Rosenthal has channelled her passion for outdoor adventure and photography into a value-driven career path spanning editorial, retail and product that cultivates a holistic approach to marketing, social media and branding.

Rosenthal shares her five tips for launching a successful start-up: Be flexible and embrace change

There’s a big flip in retail in the outdoor industry. Within the year we first started Mountain Standard, Sports Authority closed and went bankrupt. Our whole brand is based off the premise that retail is changing rapidly. It’s so important to be able to try a bunch of things and admit when it’s wrong and adjust accordingly, even at the snap of a finger.

Based out of Boulder, Mountain Standard is a digitally native direct-to-consumer brand created by outdoor product design agency Sid Factor. Robust, solid, classic and ageless basics make Mountain Standard a go-to outdoor brand for people looking for quality clothing and products that will stand the test of time. The brand lives and breathes their slogan “Standards for Mountain Living” and celebrates all things MST. Their RIMBY (Right In My Backyard) campaign inspires everyday adventures and encourages everyone to explore the epic adventures that lay “right in your own backyard.” Make sure to check out their newly opened flagship store in Boulder.

Listen to your customers

Nail that story

Paying attention to analytics on social media and observing what content is resonating with your customers is super valuable because the team might love some pictures, but they may not connect with other people. It’s important to be able to adjust your message based off those responses. It really makes a difference.

Social media is critical when telling the brand story. Nailing that story and getting the right vibe out through Instagram, Facebook and video is really important for a new brand.

Inspire a lifestyle

Tap into the lifestyle ambitions of your consumers and focus more on experiences rather than products.

Don’t take anything too seriously Brennah Rosenthal, Image by Seth Langbauer

You’ve gotta have some fun, too!

“Our whole brand is based off the premise that retail is changing rapidly.” 65

MAKING IT OUTDOORS Outdoor Leaders Share Their Career Advice

arlier this year, the Outdoor Industry Association announced that the outdoor recreation economy currently employs 7.6 million Americans and is set to demand more jobs in the coming years. This growth, coupled with swelling cultural interest in getting outdoors, will require a new generation of passionate outdoor enthusiasts jumping into the industry. While working to inspire this next generation is key, it’s also essential to make sure they’re equipped with sound advice and guidance to help them along the way, so we spoke to the people who have inspired RANGE and built some of our most beloved brands. They opened up about the long and winding roads of their career, shared the challenges they’ve faced, and gave advice on how to build a meaningful career in today’s outdoor industry. We spoke with Ben O’Meara, Head of Brand Partnerships for Huckberry; Kelsey Kobasick, Social Media and Content Production for Topo Designs; Linda Brunzell, Vice President of Corporate Strategy for Wolverine Worldwide; Michael Jager, Chief Creative Officer for Solidarity of Unbridled Labour; and Julie Atherton, Founder of JAM Collective.

Images (L to R) Kelsey Kobasick, Michael Jager, Ben O’Meara, Julie Atherton

by Aarika Hernandez

BIOS: Linda Brunzell VP of Corporate Strategy, Wolverine Worldwide:

Kelsey Kobasick Social Media and Content Production, Topo Designs:

After a recruitment call from Merrell, Linda Brunzell found herself moving from working at Pepsico in Chicago to West Michigan, and kicked off her outdoor adventure with Merrell. Today, Brunzell is Vice President of Corporate Strategy at Merrell’s parent company, Wolverine Worldwide, and is a passionate advocate for preserving the outdoors and inspiring people to get outside.

Kelsey Kobasick studied both business and apparel merchandising at the School of Design and Merchandising at Colorado State. Post-graduation, Kobasick quickly found herself moving from the Topo Designs retail floor to the back office—literally. The office was behind the store. Today you’ll find her producing the latest social content, product shots and top-notch outdoor lifestyle campaigns.

What is your most important piece of advice for young people starting out in the industry?

Kelsey Kobasick: Just show up. Don’t rely on things to fall into your lap. You need to insert yourself into the community. You won’t get anywhere unless you are present and willing to get out of your comfort zone. Ben O’Meara: The most vital aspect that has gotten me where I am today is networking and relationship building. Really putting in that time to have those conversations with people in positions you respect is so valuable. Pick their brains on how they got to where they are and build those strong relationships early. After five years, I really noticed those relationships were so key in the long term. Linda Brunzell: Figure out what drives you and what you want to do. No one is going to help you get there if you don’t know what you want to do. Check in with yourself throughout certain points in your career. Question if you’re on the right path. Think about it and point yourself in the direction that you want to see yourself in the following years. Conduct check-ins every five to 10 years and then reassess. Michael Jager: My biggest message, and the thing that I’ve been working to fight for, is be advocates for curiosity because curiosity is where empathy unlocks insight and that’s where brilliant ideas happen.

“My biggest message, and the thing that I’ve been working to fight for, is be advocates for curiosity because curiosity is where empathy unlocks insight and that’s where brilliant ideas happen.”

- Michael Jager, Chief Creative Officer for Solidarity of Unbridled Labour

Julie Atherton: Build your support team and keep them close. I was a part of a group of women who all owned our own businesses and would meet once a month. We’d get together, have an agenda and ask questions, and even though our businesses were all different, we all had the same needs. We had each other to really draw on and get advice. How did you know when you were on the right path?

KK: The first Outdoor Retailer show I attended, I walked around with my mouth open. It was amazing to finally meet so many people in person that I had worked with via email and social media. For me, that was the moment where I stepped back and said, “Wow, these are my people!” It was the moment when I realized this is where I need to be. LB: It was when I made the leap of faith to join Merrell and move to West Michigan. It was my first Outdoor Retailer and I walked inside and realized I actually work as part of a great industry for women to join and make an impact. MJ: So much of this is about the people you meet and the interactions you have. John Schweizer, one of the founders of Merrell, is one of the most curious individuals in a truly genuine way. He was really influential in instilling in me the importance of curiosity and to embrace curiosity deeply. What are some challenges you faced in your career?

MJ: One day, after years of going from studio to studio and project to project, it became really evident when flying back across the country and thinking, “Huh? Is this really gonna be the next 10-15 years of the life that I’ve designed?” I was able to work with a close-knit group of people and just rethink and reshape what the possibilities are for design. That course correction and reality check was the realization we could design the future we want to be a part of. LB: Not all opportunities are going to be what you expect. After working for a few years in a marketing position at Merrell, I was offered an international leadership position, but at the time, I wasn’t interested in making that move. Then someone said, “This is going to be a really good step for you. Trust us.” Now I look back and see how it changed my perspective, and allowed

“Have a growth mindset and that means being really excited about the work that you are doing currently, but then always thinking bigger picture.”

– Ben O’Meara, Head of Brand Partnerships for Huckberry

me to look at the bigger picture and beyond the traditional U.S. market. What advice would you give to people for advancing their career once they’re established?

KK: Be creative, because the world is so noisy right now, especially with email and social media. Being creative with the way you reach out to people is super important because it helps you stand out. A simple “Hi!” goes so far right now. BO: Have a growth mindset and that means being really excited about the work you are doing currently, but always thinking bigger picture, asking questions, doing a little bit more than what is asked in your job responsibilities, taking that extra step, and really being proactive. JA: Find a mentor or a boss who wants to help you grow in a new way. Have them work with you on the areas you would like to grow within, identify different strengths, or develop a new skillset. Throughout all five interviews, one underlining career driver emerged: an unadulterated passion for being outdoors. For a new grad getting ready to kick off their career, it will be key to channel your passion, know yourself, know what you want and make your future happen. As the industry grows, this will become increasingly important— according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outdoor leisure and hospitality sector is projected to add over 15 million new jobs over the 2014–24 decade.

Michael Jager, Chief Creative Officer for Solidarity of Unbridled Labour:

Julie Atherton Founder, JAM Collective:

Ben O’Meara Head of Brand Partnerships, Huckberry:

Industry veteran Michael Jager has directed creative outputs with brand icons like Patagonia, Woolrich and Burton throughout his career. As a founder of Solidarity of Unbridled Labour, Jager continues to harness curiosity and design to guide and create culture and positive change.

Julie Atherton is the founder of JAM Collective, a boutique public relations shop with an impressive roster of innovative and creative clients. Atherton started her love affair with the outdoors as a child and made it her career when she started working for The North Face. She has built a long career across the fields of brand development, marketing and PR.

Growing up on a farm on the coast of Maine inspired Ben O’Meara’s passion for the outdoors. After starting his career in marketing in Boston, Ben made the jump to California and joined online retailer Huckberry with a mission of inspiring and supplying people getting outdoors.

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dventu r e yA r er

For E n o i n v a p

Why You Should Be Taking CBD by R.R. Noall

veryone’s talking about CBD, but the question is why? If you’re someone who enjoys outdoor activities year-round, CBD is a game-changer. More than ever before, people with active lifestyles are seeking relief for the aches and pains that result from outdoor adventures and CBD is becoming their natural companion.

What is CBD?

Why Take CBD?

CBD, or Cannabidiol, is a very distant cousin of the more well-known THC. Unlike THC, CBD has no psychoactive effects when consumed or used topically. Since it is extracted from the hemp plant, which under federal regulations contains little to no THC at all, you can be certain CBD will not make you feel high.

1. Numerous studies have found that CBD has a beneficial impact on the body. As a cannabinoid, CBD provides natural relief to the many aches and pains you might experience when you’re exploring the outdoors.

The Body’s Endocannabinoid System There are a number of receptors in the human body that specifically interact with cannabinoids. These receptors are located throughout the body in the nervous system and many organs, but especially within the brain. In the early 1990s, scientists dubbed these receptors “the endocannabinoid system.” Nearly 30 years later, scientists are finding the endocannabinoid system helps to regulate metabolic function, influences hormone production, impacts immune response, and can even positively affect people suffering from neurological disorders.

2. CBD is a well-researched anti-inflammatory and a natural alternative to over-the-counter medications for relief from sore muscles and joints. Using the endocannabinoid system, CBD helps calm the immune system’s inflammatory response to adventurous exertions. 3. CBD is also an antioxidant. If we could, we’d spend all our time outdoors, right? Unfortunately, our busy lives introduce oxidative stresses to our cells, which can be a precursor to many illnesses and diseases. As an antioxidant, CBD works through brain receptors to provide your cells with natural relief.

How Can I Take CBD? CBD can be taken orally or used topically, making it a versatile, adventure-ready companion. There are CBD products available in droppers, capsules, gummies, lotions and even salves. Regardless of the method you choose, your body will thank you for taking CBD.

The Ultimate Post-Trail High

A CBD Oil Massage After a Brutal 230 miles on the ColoradoTrail Words + Image by Shawnté Salabert

he Colorado Trail is a beautiful but brutal mistress. It does not believe in switchbacks, instead preferring to charge directly up calf-quaking inclines before immediately plunging into toe-bruising descents. Lofty passes and plateaus summon the angriest of hail storms while gullies and canyons swelter with mud and moisture. So if you’re the masochistic type, you’ll have a really excellent time out there. Battling 230 miles of the trail last summer, I emerged with myriad aches and pains and a distinctly Frankenstein-esque gait. My pal Ricardo suggested I cap off the trip “in the most Colorado way possible” by getting a CBD-infused massage. Realizing that my aching musculature could serve as a map for every mile of the Colorado Trail, I made an appointment that day. As part of the LoDo Massage Studio’s “Mile High Massage” service, I opted for a full-body application of “extra strength” 100-milligram CBD lotion. My masseuse announced her presence with a large glop of the cream, frosting my back with an aromatic blend of arnica, peppermint and juniper, leaving me feeling like a fragrant slab of carrot cake. She worked the lotion into my skin and allowed me to bake under a hot towel before my

back dissolved into a gentle buzz of floaty nothingness. “What is a back, anyway?” I thought to myself. “I am but a happy head with no torso.” I wasn’t high, of course. This was just the result of the ingredients performing their beautiful anti-inflammatory chorus. While I marinated in the absence of pain, the masseuse bravely continued with my ravaged feet and overworked legs, using a combination of Swedish, sports and deep tissue techniques. I twitched at certain pressure points, but eventually fell completely under the glorious CBD spell. By the time I flipped over, I was nearly catatonic, a dopey grin pasted on my blissed-out face. Stumbling back into the sunlight, I loped around in a state of ultimate relaxation. Back at my friends’ house, I gushed about the experience, feeling like a tall pile of cotton candy, a sweet weightlessness suffused throughout my once-weary bones. While the experience was transcendent, its true magic wasn’t revealed until the next day. I could no longer map the trail via my aches and pains, still subdued by the CBD infusion. Instead, I could focus on the way the trail lingered in my heart and soul, which is, of course, the ultimate high.

New Energy Forest Island Project Encourages Art and Ideas in a Remote Mountain Town by Corrina Peipon

Long home to a thriving local theater scene, Mammoth is now poised on the cusp of an awakening as a cultural hub via artists and other visionary thinkers who are just as inspired by the outdoors as skiers, mountaineers, ultrarunners and anglers. Forest Island Project is a primary force in the effort to promote art and ideas in the region. Co-founded by Kiersten Puusemp and Christopher James, both artists, skiers and climbers, Forest Island is an art and advocacy organization defining a space for conversation and engagement at the intersection of nature and culture. Developed from the belief that actionable solutions to social issues can originate from creative practices, this residency program for artists, writers and thinkers is part of an endeavor to establish Mammoth Lakes as a distinctive rural cultural nexus, a hub of artistic and intellectual capital, and an authority on the constructed environment, both built and social, as it relates to the natural world.

To reach these ambitious goals, Forest Island has developed relationships with community organizations, including Mammoth Lakes Foundation, which was created by ski legend Dave McCoy to promote art and education in the region, Mammoth Lakes Recreation, Mammoth Lakes Trails and Public Access Foundation, Mammoth Lakes Trail System, and the Sierra Center, as well as corporate partner Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. The Forest Island advisory council includes local stakeholders like Mammoth Lakes Mayor John Wentworth, entrepreneur Rudy DeFelice, Powder magazine correspondent and columnist Hans Ludwig, writer and artist Benjamin Weissman, and yours truly, artist, curator and writer Corrina Peipon. As curator for the residency programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inaugural session in October 2017, I was thrilled to invite artists Krysten Cunningham, Helen Mirra and Drea Zlanabitnig to Mammoth. These artists were chosen specifically for the immediate connections their work makes to the natural world. Using sculpture and performance, photography and collage, and mixed media interpretations of walks in the environment, all three use the surrounding environment as inspiration, subject matter and medium. The artists lived in Mammoth for a month and participated in events that were open to the public, including an open studio that gave the community a glimpse of the ideas and questions raised by their residency period and the potential of Forest Island to spark a new energy in the Eastern Sierras.

Unti tled (Merced Ri ver) , 2017 Archiva l Inkjet Pri nt by Drea Zl anabit ni g

ammoth Lakes is a small rural community nestled approximately 8,000 feet above sea level on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in central California. The full-time population of around 8,000 people expands seasonally with visitors who seek out Mammoth for epic skiing, easy access to alpine lake fly fishing, hiking and biking with endless mountain vistas. In addition to the beauty and solitude the area offers, the small-town vibe and year-round stoke attract Olympic and professional athletes who take full advantage of the high altitude for their training.

Tiny Less House is More Fervor at Ski Resorts by Sally Francklyn

Ima ges by Mi chae l D yrl a nd

More than just a proponent for downsizing, Giffin has been a carpenter since high school, “Mostly to fund my addiction to skiing,” he says, and is using his experiences to support his passion for the winter season by hosting Outdoor Research’s Caravan for a Cause, which will profile tiny house dwellers at ski resorts and document their obsession with fresh snow. Picking up on the importance of the movement, Aspen Skico also plans to build a tiny house community in nearby Basalt to give their employees an affordable living option while still fueling their passion for shredding. “As skiers, we’re very accustomed to waking up and skiing the deepest pow,” says Giffin. “While other skiers are sitting in traffic, we’re already taking the first turns in the new snowfall.”

first learned about Zach Giffin’s traveling tiny house in 2012 during a visit to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. After skiing at the resort, Zach Giffin and fellow pro skier Molly Baker showed me their tiny home, which is built on wheels and towed by a truck, explaining that they’d drive to any resort where the snow was falling. The money they saved on hotel rooms enabled them to spend the entire winter completely mobile and responsive to the slightest change in weather. When I asked what inspired this decision, Giffin said he believed that our “attitude about ‛living the good life’ has shifted.” The idea of success is no longer about accumulation of material possessions, but rather a desire for experiences. Tiny homes are also a reaction to the increase in home prices around the country, which often prevents younger people from being able to afford a traditional mortgage. As Giffin put it, “Tiny houses are a pathway to live a financially liberated type of life.”

Notes on Inclusion + Equity Within the Outdoor Industry

irst and foremost, we would like to acknowledge that the writers and coordinators for this piece are white, middle class, straight, able-bodied cis women and acknowledge we are speaking from this experience. We are also passionate about environmental and social issues. Thank you to everyone who has engaged with us in this conversation and provided feedback. We hope this toolkit will be useful for all readers. If you’re tuned into conversations happening in the outdoor industry, it’s likely you’ve heard the continued call for inclusion, equity and justice. As many of us working in the outdoor industry

aim to engage meaningfully in the discussion of creating a unified outdoors, we’re seeing brands and content creators pass the mic as the situation demands. We’re seeing grassroots organizations setting the foundation we need to work toward an equitable future. And while it takes a coalition for organizational and structural changes, we can’t help but consider the individual’s impact on leveling the playing field in the outdoors. We see the challenge, but it can be hard to know how to play an effective role in the movement. In exploring the issues of inclusion and equity within the outdoor industry, we landed on one important concept: allyship.

Illustration by D a re n Mag e e

Allyship 101

Allyship is a long, steep climb to full understanding. It’s rooted in action, process, trust and accountability. When working towards being a better ally, we must consider how to support the dynamic people of our community. It requires us to take initiative, make mistakes and use our varying levels of privilege to amplify the work and voices of people who historically haven’t had a seat at the table. Practicing allyship takes time, energy and the willingness to step out of your comfort zone. To help you get started, we’ve put together a quick list of resources and enlisted industry leaders and community members to weigh in on the issue.

oolkit Listen + EducateYourself The most important part of practicing allyship is to truly listen. Before saying anything, listen to those whose experiences you don’t share and take this education as the gift it is. Take the time and initiative to do your own research. Whether you’re a tactile learner or prefer research online, there is an abundance of resources to get educated and take action. Attend conferences to meet new people, get involved locally, read a book and diversify your news and social media feed.

Spend Wisely Be thoughtful about where you spend—and not just your money, but your time and energy—when contributing to the movement. This is an important part of the story. Buy from POC, LGBTQ+ and women-owned companies, support POC-led organizations with your dollars, and focus your time and energy on learning about someone else’s experiences.

“Acknowledge the work publicly, not just in emails or secret meetings. Let it be known that this work is important. Invest in this work financially, add a budget line item that is specific to the work of diversity and inclusion, give us your time, your expertise, and put us in touch with your contacts who may be able to aid in this work as well. In other words, show us you have skin in the game.”

“Marketing images signal to a community what they should be doing, what they are doing, and who is in their community. Retailers have a huge responsibility to represent true Americans, not just aspirational images of a person climbing Mount Denali. It’s not just that. People should be represented and celebrated for all the ways they enjoy the outdoors: family cookouts, hiking in a neighborhood park, gardening and so many other outdoor traditions.”

better? People who keep me updated as the solutions are put into place. There is a coworker I have who embodies ‘ally’ for me. She heard my frustrations about the lack of gender neutral bathrooms on the REI campus, asked me what I would feel comfortable with (one gender neutral bathroom in every building), took it to leadership, and continues to give me updates as the process unfolds.”

- Ambreen Tariq, Founder at Brown People Camping

“You must believe the candidate you’re looking for exists, and that it’s your responsibility to find them. Don’t wait for them to come to you, and don’t assume that they will necessarily want to be on your team. Remember, different groups of people interact with the outdoors differently. Listen to and learn from the people you’re attempting to engage, respect affinity spaces, and do the internal work of creating an inclusive culture at your organization.”

“It’s not only important for us, it’s important for the industry. Change doesn’t just require the focus of the group calling for it. It calls for a community pulling together toward a shared goal. The outdoor industry has some formidable headwinds as we talk about things like racial equality, gender equality and LGBTQ inclusion. We need allies in those conversations advocating for change.” - Sally Johnson, Brand & Activations Manager, REI Force of Nature and Outessa

Allyship in the Workplace Companies and the industry as a whole will benefit from diverse perspectives. Whether you’re in a leadership position, administration or even working as an intern, you have an opportunity to advocate for equality in the workplace. Speak up and talk about these issues with your coworkers. Take the initiative to work with upper management and coordinate actionable steps to move toward an inclusive work environment.

“For someone who wants to promote equity in their own organization, - Teresa Baker, Founder at African American Nature and a great first step could be to form a working group and talk about ways Parks Experience your organizational culture can evolve toward inclusion. Sierra Club wouldn’t have such a strong focus on equity and justice today without the efforts of staff and volunteers in our community who raised equity issues Allyship is about amplifying the voices that have been historically marginalized. Instead of speaking for from within.”

Amplify Authentic Stories in Outdoor Media + Marketing

people on the metaphorical stage, privilege may have been given to you, so pass the mic and let them speak for themselves. It isn’t about making a new space for other people, it’s about giving up a space you’ve previously taken up. In many cases, it means giving it back to its rightful owners.

- Nellis Kennedy-Howard, Sierra Club Director of Equity, Inclusion and Justice

“My favorite allies are people who hear my concerns, ask for my solutions, and then take action to get those solutions implemented. Even

- Aer Parris, Copywriter, REI

- Sydney Clark, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, NOLS

Take Risks There is no single, perfect way to be an ally. So let’s try, let’s fail, and above all else, let’s LISTEN. Make mistakes, be thankful for feedback, apply it and move forward. Challenge your friends, families and companies you work with to be better. This is something we constantly have to work at.

“The important thing is to have a willingness to learn, but also to be open to being judged by the consequences of your actions instead of demanding marginalized people be satisfied with your good intentions. It involves making mistakes. It also involves having a growth mindset that will enable you to shake old mental models and develop new ones. It’s important to be open to change and to new information.” - Danielle Williams at Melanin Base Camp

“Mistakes will happen, but they do not define you as a person. How folks respond to making the mistakes and the corrective action they take is a good measure of an effective ally.” - Len Necefer, Founder of Natives Outdoors li sa doug h e rty

e r i n s u lli va n

Time to Boys Haven't It’s Deconstruct Always Gender in the Worn Blue Outdoor Industry Words + Image by Elyse Rylander

“Y

ou will come to realize,” she said, “That origins are very rarely actually original.” I was sitting in one of my final Gender Studies classes as an undergrad when the professor opened with this sentiment, which has turned out to be one of the most sage pieces of advice I’ve ever received. In other words, 99% of the time, what we believe to be the first and implicitly the best, is actually an evolution of something that came before. Believe it or not, the idea of gender is one of these constructs that has undergone some fascinating evolutions. Roughly until the 18th century, the common belief was that “men” and “women” were actually of the same sex, and the Greeks had some interesting thoughts on what happened if women jumped too hard. Well into the 20th century, major department stores across America told parents to dress their baby boys in pink. Feminist theorist Judith Butler takes ideas of gender as a social construction further in her notion of “performativity,” or rather that gender is more of a verb communicated through the clothes we choose to wear or how we cut our hair and walk through the world. Butler echoes my former professor’s idea about originality: “Gender is a kind of imitation for which there is no original… the act of elaborating itself is evidence that it is perpetually at risk… that it ‛knows’ its own possibility of becoming undone.” In the outdoor industry, we see this careful dance of gender replicated over and over again. Even as we move away from the much-maligned “pink it and shrink it” model, many of us still desperately cling to certain ideas about who should enjoy what shade of blue versus purple. This desperation to categorize should prove how important it is to unpack our

ideas about gender if we want to commit to finding equity, diversity and inclusion in the industry. If we refuse to examine our inherent ideas on gender, we will continue to push people like OUT There Adventures alum and chief ambassador Zander McRae to the margins. Zander is one of most amazing young people I have ever met and in June, I helped get him to Australia for three weeks of sea kayaking with NOLS. We discovered that trying to outfit a small (but mighty!) trans guy in anything that wasn’t from a women’s line was almost impossible. “I’m so sorry dude,” I texted one afternoon. “They don’t make a men’s shoe in a size 6. Can we look at the women’s line?” He responded, “I guess, so long as it doesn’t contribute to my gender dysphoria.” Zander has faced enough battles in his life and it unacceptable that the industry made him engage in another that should be completely avoidable. Like we push the envelope with the fabrics, materials and designs of our gear to help us perform better, we need to push ourselves to come up with new marketing strategies to provide entry points into our industry that are more reflective of the changing demographics of the global population. Just as we push ourselves to learn new skills and condition our bodies to meet the demanding requirements of harsh environments, we need to learn about cross-cultural communication, how to check our privilege and become more humble. We need to condition our minds to keep up with a world that is dismantling archaic notions of gender, race, class and ability. The history of the outdoor industry is full of people who lived on the margins and did what many thought was impossible. Reaching true equity may seem like one of these impossible tasks, but there is no community better situated to turn the impossible into a reality.

First of its Kind

The LGBTQ Outdoor Summit

n October 13, 2017, people from around the U.S. assembled at the REI flagship store in Seattle to attend the first-ever LGBTQ Outdoor Summit. Hosted by Pride Outside and Out There Adventures, the summit served as a platform for members of the outdoor industry, the conservation community and environmental education organizations to cultivate connections, promote inclusion of the LGBTQ community in the outdoors, and explore collaborative opportunities to work towards equity. The summit provided a positive and goal-oriented space for people to learn, listen, share and network. As the first of its kind, this event offered both conventional activations and interactive workshops, as well as several field trips over the course of two days. While the conference addressed the unique experiences, barriers, needs and wants of the LGBTQ community, all were welcome to attend. Over 130 people from all areas of the outdoor industry

participated. There were CEOs and brand representatives from The North Face, Hipcamp, Girl Scouts and the Sierra Club, along with nonprofit organizers and outdoor enthusiasts. A stacked agenda filled with panel discussions and intimate break out sessions encouraged everyone to engage in a refined conversation recognizing the vast diversity of experiences and identities within our own groups. Tackling topics such as media representation and queer storytelling, LGBTQ history, allyship and advocacy, it was easy to walk away with an entire notebook full of stories, statistics and actionable steps on how to support the LGBTQ members of each community. Of course, it wouldn’t have been an outdoor summit without the opportunity to connect while doing what we love—being active and getting outside! From climbing with Alpenglow Collective at Vertical World Seattle to hiking Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park with the National Parks Service, the most memorable experiences of the LGBTQ Outdoor Summit were created during those in-between moments of problem solving on the wall and hiking throughout the city with new friends. Educational, fun and driven by a mission, conferences like the LGBTQ Outdoor Summit are exactly what the outdoor industry needs right now to inspire an equitable and inclusive future. As a leading example of what we’re capable of, we can’t wait to see what the folks behind the LGBTQ Outdoor Summit have in store next. li sa doug h e rty

Creating in the Great Outdoors An Illustrated Field Guide Words + Images by Andrea Slusarski

”E

n plein air,” a French phrase that simply means “outdoors,” is also a term for the act of painting out in nature. To me, plein air means submersing myself in the outdoors and always adventuring with my sketchbook and tools in my backpack. While living in Colorado, my pack of painting gear has seen multiple fourteener peaks, bluebird skies and plenty of backpacking campfires. However, these landscapes are the most valued part of my creative process, so to protect them, I am constantly mindful of my supplies. We should all be following the Leave No Trace principles when outdoors, but it is crucial for artists to make sure their art supplies are not harmful to the environment. Creating a painting or sketch en plein air is such an incredible way to experience the outdoors, but you don’t have to be an artist to do it. If you’ve ever found yourself yearning to capture the feeling you get in nature, this supply list and a few painting tips will have you ready to create consciously in the outdoors in no time.

Supplies + Packing List: Start simple with a sketchbook and pencil. Want to add color? Watercolor paints are excellent for the backcountry due to their lightweight nature and quick dry time. - Sketchbook (If you don’t want to bring a sketchbook, place a piece of watercolor paper _onto a hard surface using masking tape, which will give you a great painting surface.) - Pencils - Don’t forget your pencil sharpener! Make sure it has a lid to catch all of your shavings _to throw away at home. - Paintbrushes - Pens - Small watercolor set - Mason jar with lid - Baggie with a paper towel *Note I keep all of my materials in a canvas zip bag, which goes into a dry sack with my sketchbooks. This helps provides some extra protection on adventures.

Painting Tips For Getting Started Four-year-old you didn’t care about what your art looked like and neither should grown-up you. The goal is to experience your surroundings through the act of creating. Start with that and see where your creativity takes you. Use your pencil to quickly sketch in some key areas. Whether you’re looking at a landscape or peering close up at a pinecone, draw what sticks out to you the most. Using watercolor does take some practice. Start by dipping your brush into your water, then activating the paint with the wet brush. If you’re painting mountains, I recommend adding the shadows in first. Your paintbrush is naturally great at details. Use the tip of the brush to make brushstrokes that look like trees!

Leave No Trace Your dirty water and paper towels need to be packed out. Use a water jar with a lid or pour your used painting water into an empty bottle to cap and pack out. Another great medium for the backcountry are water pens! These pens hold the water in the brush handle and are great for artists getting started.

Finally, always remember the act of creating takes time and patience for the process. Painting is very similar to hiking. It’s never only about the endpoint, but the adventure you took to get there. Where will your creative process take you? Wherever it is, you’ll be protecting it by being a conscious, Leave No Trace artist!

Paying it Forward

How NYC Students Became Outward Bound Instructors

NYC

Outward Bound Schools was established 30 years ago as the first independent urban Outward Bound center in the United States to bring wilderness experiences to urban youth. Christian Narvaez, now the organization’s Director of Character, Community & Culture, joined his school’s NYC Outward Bound program when he was a senior in high school and had never been outside the city in a outdoor setting. “It was my first time being outdoors overnight when I went backpacking at Harriman State Park. There was a snowstorm and one of our friends got frostnip, so we had make a litter and to carry him all the way the last day. It was tough, but it was a great experience,” Christian says. “Everyone would say that they hated it, but we kept coming back because it was something different from being in the neighborhood.” The organization introduced its outdoor and community-building programs at a number of public schools throughout the city starting in the late '80s, including a peer mentoring program Christian participated in called Rebels with a Cause, which was launched in the South Bronx by Carmen Martinez, now the NYC Outward Bound Schools Admissions Manager and Head Medical Screener, in the early '90s. “The younger kids in our neighborhoods needed us to be their role models. There weren’t a lot of options for positive role models during that time period, so the idea came: we would be Outward Bound instructors for the kids in the hood, essentially,” says Carmen. “We recruited kids from the hood, the street, went to the projects, knocked on kids’ doors and said, ‛Hey, we wanna bring Outward Bound to you.’”

Shannon Gilmore, who is now a Course Director, reflected on his experience as a student in the Rebels with a Cause program and growing up with NYC Outward Bound Schools. “Even as a youth, to be able to teach other youth, to have them relate to you, gave me a boost of confidence,” says Shannon. “As I grew up in this organization, it was no longer about me. It was to affect the students.”

“We recruited kids from the hood, the street, went to the projects, knocked on kids’ doors and said, ‘Hey, we wanna bring Outward Bound to you.’” Over the years, the organization has continued to incorporate adventure and team building outdoor programs to build community among students, their teachers and the leadership at their schools. Furthering its mission and impact, NYC Outward Bound Schools also operates a network of 11 public schools across the five boroughs providing a high quality education to students who can benefit most using Outward Bound founder Kurt Hahn’s Expeditionary Learning school model. The lasting community of continued learning the organization created resulted in Carmen, Christian and Shannon, now all grown up, giving back to other NYC students as staff members. “Because I was someone who benefited from the experiences of Outward Bound, it’s a personal attachment. It’s important that in whatever I do, I provide the opportunity for other young people to experience what I experienced,” says Carmen. “I’m still an instructor because I’m very happy where I’m at. I’m very happy with the learning process over the evolution of NYC Outward Bound Schools and with the community. Most of all, I’m very excited about my learnings... [The organization] really lines up well with what I want to be as a person, who I want to become, and is unlike any place I’ve ever worked... the core values aligned with my life values and the flexibility really allowed me to be myself.”

Images courtesy of NYC Outward Bound Schools.

“I’m doing what I love, so it’s been over 22 years and everyday I’m learning something new. I’m very content with how NYC Outward Bound Schools has supported me with my learning, growing up, as an individual and as a person,” says Christian. “I feel I’m lucky because I had the opportunity to challenge myself and I’ve seen the things that I can do. alex gom e s Not a lot of people have that.”

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