SPRING SUMMER 2018
FURTHER PAST THE HORIZON // CLOSER TO OUR WORLD
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WE ARE NOT JUST HERE TO MAKE SHOES. We were born on the water. Born for life outside. With passion for the world around us, at the heart of everything we do. It’s in our DNA. So to those who say making great shoes is enough,
WE SAY WE NEED TO DO MORE. Because in times like these, hoping for better, or even talking about it, is simply not enough. We must strive to do better. To make a better world. We believe making things better, making anything better, takes action.
DON’T WE ALL WANT BETTER? Better adventures. Better experiences. Better work days, and even better play days. With better life balance for more time outside. A better environment. For our families. For our community. For our future.
WE MAKE SHOES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Together, let's take action for a better world.
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AMBASSADOR STORIES FOUR MONUMENTS IN FOUR DAYS WITH CAROLINE AND MEG
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KEEN NEWPORT CELEBRATING 15 YEARS AS THE ICON OF ADVENTURE
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IT'S ALL ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE ADVENTURE TRAVELERS SHARE STORIES FROM THE ROAD
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KEEN EFFECT STORIES PL ANTING TREES WITH WEFOREST
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IT'S ALL ABOUT TOGETHERNESS ACTIVE FAMILIES JUMP INTO ADVENTURES FOR ALL AGES
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IT'S ALL ABOUT ENERGY OUTDOOR URBANITES FIND NEW PERSPECTIVES IN THE CIT Y
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KEEN EFFECT STORIES HELPING HURRICANE HARVEY VICTIMS REBUILD
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EUROPEAN UPDATES WHAT'S ON AMBASSADOR UPDATES
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FOUR MONUMENTS IN FOUR DAYS ALTERNATE - ONE COLOR
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WRITTEN BY KEEN AMBASSADOR CAROLINE GLEICH PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEEN AMBASSADOR MEG HAYWOOD SULLIVAN
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KEEN AMBASSADORS EXPLORE AND SUPPORT OUR PUBLIC LANDS. After months of gathering public comments about the status of national monuments, the US Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke, announced his recommendations on August 24, 2017. It was intentionally cryptic, and the lack of transparency concerned me. While Zinke didn’t call for any monuments to be completely removed, he urged the President to shrink the boundaries on a handful of treasured spaces. I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. I felt disappointed that the elected and appointed officials were not listening to the people. Instead of wallowing in misery and succumbing to the downward digital spiral that happens when you read too many online articles, I decided it was time to take action. I called up KEEN Ambassador Meg Haywood Sullivan, and we decided we needed to get our Terradora boots on the ground to see what’s at stake. We looked at a map and planned a link up of four national monuments we could easily explore in a four-day trip around her home of Los Angeles. I threw some gear in a big duffel bag, Meg packed up food and the car, I flew to LA where she picked me up, and it was on! DAY 1
CARRIZO PLAIN NATIONAL MONUMENT From Los Angeles International, we drove northeast under the hot California sun to Carrizo Plain National Monument. The more time we spent there, the more
the landscape came alive. Driving in, we saw a herd of antelope. We drove across the entire 200,000-acre monument, mostly on dirt roads, without a trace of cell phone coverage. At sunset, we walked to Painted Rock, a brightly colored pictograph site created by the Chumash Native Americans. When Meg and I walked into the site, in a natural amphitheater, we both gasped. I felt a presence greater than myself. It was breathtaking, the way the colors and drawings appeared on the rock was both subtle and obvious at the same time. This site and the surrounding monument represent human history. At nighttime, as we scanned the plain with our headlamps, we noticed the bright eyes of animals everywhere. We heard kangaroo rats, owls, and foxes. We saw a tarantula, jack rabbits, hawks, ravens, and lizards. It’s as much of a sanctuary for animals as it is for humans. The sweet scent of sage and juniper filled the air. Under a dark night sky, the Milky Way revealed itself. As dusk settled in, we set up camp at Selby campground, surrounded by rolling mountains and fading light. Under an almost new moon, the stars were vibrant. When you are getting all packed up to go on a camping trip like this, the preparation can seem overwhelming. But when you’re out there, living in the dirt, it all of a sudden feels familiar. There was something so calming about being so far away from city lights and cell phone coverage. Our eyes and ears started to adjust to a new normal. We woke with the sun and packed up camp. On our way out, we took a relaxing walk to Soda Lake, a dry lake bed that is one of the largest natural alkali wetlands
“We heard kangaroo rats, owls, and foxes. We saw a tarantula, jack rabbits, hawks, ravens, and lizards.” 5
“ When you are getting all packed up to go on a camping trip like this, the preparation can seem overwhelming. But when you’re out there, living in the dirt, it all of a sudden feels familiar.”
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remaining in Southern California. We left Carrizo Plain with dirt under our fingernails and the kiss of the sun on our skin, with smiles from ear to ear. DAY 2
GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT As we drove toward Giant Sequoia National Monument, we passed through McKittrick, California, home to one of the most extensive oil fields I’d ever seen. It made me realize how important it is to protect the existing footprint of the national monument. I noticed the huge pipelines, and I couldn’t help but worry about their proximity to the San Andreas fault. After driving through hours of oil and agricultural land, the landscape started to change, and the big trees of the forest and higher elevations brought a much-needed drop in temperature. Once inside the Giant Sequoia National Monument, we found an ideal campsite right off the road, and walked over to hike and explore the Trail of 100 Giants for sunset. I’ve seen redwoods before, but it was my first time experiencing the impressive beauty of California’s sequoia trees. They were ginormous! The trail of 100 Giants is paved and easily accessible. I loved seeing the diversity of visitors. Afterwards, Meg and I retreated to our campsite, cooked a delicious dinner of mac and cheese with broccoli and spinach, with banana, cashew butter, and marshmallow “sushi” bites for dessert.
When you think of LA, you don’t normally think of mountains. But maybe you should. San Gabriel provides 70 percent of the open space to more than 15 million people who live within a 90-minute drive. It’s crucial habitat to almost 200 rare and threatened species and hundreds of endemic flora that only grow in this mountain range, and the watershed provides one-third of LA’s drinking water. I was awestruck by the views of the city from the mountain tops, the rocky, craggy cliffs, and the biodiversity of the flora. I loved the perfectly symmetrical yucca plants on the hike we did. From the top of Mt. Wilson, we enjoyed one of the most beautiful pink and purple sunsets I’ve ever witnessed. President Obama designated the national monument to increase outdoor access to the people of Los Angeles. The outdoors is a place for all Americans. Part of what Meg and I wanted to highlight on our road trip was the need for increased funding to bring better trailhead amenities, signage, public transportation, and education about leave no trace ethics and low-impact, human-powered recreation. Monument designations help communities reduce the amount of litter, graffiti, and even arson that places like San Gabriel, with four million annual visitors, see on a routine basis.
BETTER TAKES ACTION
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DAY 3
SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS NATIONAL MONUMENT The next morning, we headed to the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
corridor for bighorn sheep. It’s home to 12 endangered and threatened animal species, and over 240 species of birds, including the California spotted owl. It’s sacred land to the Serrano and Cahuilla Native Americans, who lived at the base of San Gorgonio Mountain, the highest peak in California south of the Sierra Nevada. It’s full of waterfalls, streams, forest, and breathtaking rock walls that light up at sunrise and sunset. Driving from Sand to Snow through the gateway town of Forest Falls, the landscape has a special presence. As a hiker, it draws you in. It feels warm and inviting. I can see why the Native Americans came here to gather food, medicinal plants, and basket-making material, and to hunt deer and other animals. On our hike, Meg and I came eye to eye with a healthy, strong doe. It was a fitting end to our girl’s road trip, sharing the strong, feminine energy with a wild animal. You never know exactly what you’ll find when you embark on an adventure like this. What Meg and I found was surprising – it strengthened our bond as friends, and helped energize us for the road ahead. Sleeping in these national monuments made us even more committed to protecting them! CAROLINE GLEICH
A professional ski mountaineer, Caroline spends her “off season” trail running, alpine climbing, ridge scrambling, biking, and using her voice to protect the places where we play.
DAY 4
SAND TO SNOW NATIONAL MONUMENT PRIMARY - ONE COLOR For our final stop, we went to Sand to Snow National Monument, which was designated in 2016 and has been removed from the monument review—it will be protected as it is!
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MEG HAYWOOD SULLIVAN
When not exploring the trails and waves surrounding Los Angeles, Meg travels the world documenting music, culture, snow sports, and the outdoors.
Most of the monument is designated wilderness, and is a crucial wildlife 7
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“ I ’VE REALIZED HOW MANY IMPORTANT MILESTONES I’VE HIT WHILE WEARING THESE SHOES.”
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KEEN NEWPORT THE ICON OF ADVENTURE
I GOT MY FIRST NEWPORT SANDALS WHILE ATTENDING COLLEGE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER AT THE TURN OF THE MILLENNIUM. I wore them on the beaches of Kauai for our honeymoon in 2003. I took my daughter to her first ever Cubs game while wearing them in 2007. As I looked through my old pictures, it wasn’t a question of when I was wearing my Newports over the past 15 years, it was a question of when I wasn’t!
BRIAN DIETZEN, ACTOR CBS TV SERIES NCIS GLENDALE, CA
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KEEN NEWPORT HYDRO
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NEWPORT ECO
NEWPORT RETRO
NEWPORT EVO
The icon of all-terrain adventure jumps into every experience with bold colors and sustainable comfort.
A retro favorite returns for endless excursions in natural hemp and cotton.
The definitive icon for all-terrain adventure reimagined for modern creators and explorers.
Men’s Newport Eco Dress Blues / Flannel Grey | 1018800
Men’s Newport Retro Hemp Hemp / Dark Earth | 1018808*
Men’s Newport Evo Infield /Mulch | 1018788
NEWPORT HYDRO The water-happy sandal that started it all is happier than ever to dive into H2O action.
Men’s Newport Hydro Steel Grey /Paloma | 1018816
Men’s Newport H2 India Ink/Rust | 1001931
BORN FROM WATER. REBORN FOR MORE. KEENFOOTWEAR.COM
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IT'S ALL ABOUT EXPERIE THE WRONG TURN ON AN UNMARKED DIRT ROAD. THE PITCH-DARK VIEWS OUTSIDE YOUR TENT. THE PEOPLE YOU’LL NEVER FORGET MEETING ALONG THE WAY. IT’S TAKING IT ALL IN. WITH ALL YOUR SENSES. EVERY DETAIL. EVERY INTERACTION. EVERY LITTLE THING THAT ADDS COLOR, TEXTURE, AND GRIT TO THE JOURNEY…AND TO YOUR SPIRIT. ADVENTURE IS EVERYTHING.
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UNTAMED TERRAIN KEEN TARGHEE ADVENTURES WEST TO AN OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD LANDSCAPE With dust and dirt as our travel companions, we took the rugged performance of our iconic Targhee boot into the Eastern Sierras.
HUNTING FOR ARCHES TARGHEE IN ACTION
Alabama Hills, California N36°36'50.2' W 118°07'34.3'
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The strangest thing about the Alabama Hills isn’t that some of us hadn’t heard of the area—and considering its beauty, it’s odd that it’s not more well-known. The strangest thing is that if you were dropped here, you likely wouldn’t know where “here” is. You could be in Spain. Afghanistan. Nevada. Midwest. Old West. Deep South. Deep space. The mid-Jurassic. Really, the Alabama Hills could be a number of places (though maybe not Alabama). You might even feel like you’ve been here before. And maybe you have. Sort of.
KEEN TARGHEE EXP
The Alabama Hills area near Lone Pine, California, is both 30,000 acres of sprawling, majestic BLM land and a giant film set. With over 150 movies filmed here (and dozens of TV shows), chances are you’ve seen this view before. But seeing nature at this scale in person—it’s dizzying. Arches. Canyons. Rolling, rounded stacks of 200-million-year-old volcanic rock. That looming backdrop of the 14,000-foot Sierras. And when the weather is fickle or the light is changing,
all we had to do to evoke an entirely different mood was face a different direction. We were floored.
superhuman. The texture of the rock is like sandpaper, so it feels like you could walk right up a 90º vertical crag.
And when we say arches, we mean arches. You could spend days tracking down the 200 or so arches hidden all over the hills (we lost count at 38). And if you’re so inclined, the climbing here is as abundant as it is accessible. Some routes are just feet from the car. The scrambling is also great. There’s nothing like leaping from rock formation to rock formation to feel a bit
Our favorite activity, though, just might have been chasing that moody lighting. Dawn and dusk in the Alabama Hills are magical. The movie directors weren’t wrong.
KEENFOOTWEAR.COM
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Men’s Targhee III Mid Black Olive / Golden Brown | 1017787
GRIT GOES EVERYWHERE Our iconic hiking boot for men and women brings an updated look to all-terrain adventures. We carried over the fit, durability, and performance of our award-winning Targhee waterproof boot and took its rugged looks to a new dimension.
TARGHEE EXP MID WP
TARGHEE III MID WP
This trail icon takes the immediate comfort of the original and fuses it with a new, bold design.
In durable, waterproof leather, the Targhee III boot pairs performance with classic materials.
Men’s Targhee EXP Mid WP Mulch / Burnt Ochre | 1017718
Men’s Targhee III Mid WP Big Ben / Golden Brown | 1018570
Women’s Targhee EXP Mid WP Steel Grey / Basil | 1017741
Women’s Targhee II Mid WP Weiss / Boysenberry | 1018178
KEENFOOTWEAR.COM
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WHEN EVERY TREE COUNTS ALTERNATE - ONE COLOR
BY PATRICIA GUBA ONLINE MARKETING COORDINATOR, EUROPE AND BRAM ALTERNATE EGBERTS- ONE COLOR
SOCIAL MEDIA & INFLUENCER COORDINATOR, EUROPE
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CLIMATE CHANGE. GLOBAL WARMING. HIGH CARBON DIOXIDE LEVELS – OUR PLANET IS CHANGING IN AN UNACCEPTABLE WAY. At KEEN, we decided a long time ago that we wanted to give back, strive to reduce our impact on the environment and to protect the outdoor places where we play. At the Outdoor Friedrichshafen trade fair last year, we were introduced to WeForest, an organization which has committed itself to make the world a cooler place. WeForest engages corporations, organizations and scientists to restore forests around the globe. Their portfolio of scalable forest landscape restauration projects ranges from connecting the Atlantic Forest in Brazil to transitioning village farmers in Tanzania to permaculture farming. In doing so, the local communities play an important role, as every project is not “just” about planting trees, it is also about the empowerment of the people locally to ensure the restorations of the forests to be a long-term success. It did not take us long to figure out that WeForest is an organization that takes action for a better tomorrow. So we decided to join forces and to help make the world a greener place. To kick-start our collaboration, we donated a tree for every KEEN online order in November 2017 for the Project India Khasi Hills. Here, WeForest aims to restore the native forests, to promote the economic development, to build
livelihood resilience and last but not least to conserve the biodiversity of the Meghalaya ecoregion in India. In empowering the local Khasi communities through a number of livelihood initiatives, this project fights successfully against deforestation. The key here is the mix of education and trainings, which does not only foster entrepreneurship, it also changes the lifestyle and the attitude towards the forest. Furthermore, it is also about supporting the members of self-help groups and farmer’s clubs to pursue important aspects like ecotourism, food establishments and tree-nurseries. Looking at the project’s results, we can clearly see the benefits for people and nature: Since WeForest started their work in the Khasi Hills they have planted 1.666.000 trees, restored 2000 hectares of forest and engaged 5831 families. And this is just the tip of the iceberg: Already, after a growth period of less than 20 years, the trees will be able to sequester around 388.440 tons CO2. Thanks to the support of our fans throwout November, 10 more families will be able to create a livelihood and 290 more tons CO2 will be sequestered in the future. Even though our contribution of 2.326 trees is a small first step, it is a step in the right direction and also just the beginning. Next to starting up projects with other organizations to improve coastal resilience by planting trees, we are looking forward to extending our partnership with WeForest in the future, making the world a cooler place. Every tree counts.
“ Since WeForest started their work in the Khasi Hills they have planted 1.666.000 trees, restored 2000 hectares of forest and engaged 5831 families”
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PARADISE FOUND KEEN TERRADORA LEAPS TO LUSH HEIGHTS AND PANORAMIC VIEWS As we jumped into the waterfall wonderland of Iriomote Island in Japan, our Terradora boots were a perfect fit for the journey.
KEEN TERRADORA ETHOS
CHASING WATERFALLS TERRADORA IN ACTION
Iriomote Island, Okinawa, Japan N24°22'54.6' E123°49'13.8'
We were on a mission for waterfalls, and we certainly found them on Iriomote Island in the Okinawa Prefecture of Japan. When an island is 90 percent lush, tropical forests— with 40+ rivers flowing throughout—a waterfall adventure isn’t just a possibility. It’s practically a requirement. Getting to this specific island wasn’t exactly easy—it involves planes and ferries—but it’s all part of the adventure. And that first moment, when you see
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the island rising up on the horizon. Pure euphoria. There are more than a few falls on the island. Mariudo. Kanpiree. Nara no. Mizuochi. But when we heard about Pinaisara—and how we’d get there—we knew which one to hit first. At over 180 feet, Pinaisara is the tallest waterfall in Okinawa. You get to it by kayaking through calm, emerald green waters (the mangrove wetlands) and then hiking for an unforgettable hour, deep
KEEN AMBASSADOR CHELSEA YAMASE SCRAMBLES HER WAY UP TO A BETTER VIEW.
in the jungle, including a couple steepish rope climbs. Lizards and dragonflies abound. And as it goes with heat and humidity, the promise of a refreshing swim in the waterfall’s huge plunge basin became our goal. But one of the things about chasing waterfalls—and hiking in the heat—is that so much time is spent imagining that swim that you forget to think about the view. And the panoramic view of Iriomote is spectacular. At 330 feet
above sea level, you can see as far as Hatoma, Barasu, and Hatobanare islands—and the bay where you start from. But after soaking in the view—and in our case, eating a well-earned lunch— that’s when you should definitely scramble down to the pool and earn your reward for chasing waterfalls: a momentary return to nature. Needless to say, the cool, pristine water feels fantastic. KEENFOOTWEAR.COM
Terradora Ethos Grape Wine / Grape Kiss | 1018621 27
KEEN TERRADORA MID WP
Terradora Mid WP Duck Green / Quiet Green | 1018525
LIVE AND BREATHE SUMMER ON ANY TRAIL Lightweight, breathable, and ready for warm days out there. Our quest to create the best hiking shoe for women inspired Terradora, with a perfect fit to propel you on the uphill climb and cushioning in all the right places for the downhill trek.
Terradora Mid WP Boysenberry / Grape Wine | 1018524
Terradora Leather Mid WP Timber / Cornstalk | 1017752
Terradora Pulse Mid WP Black / Magnet | 1018018
Terradora WP Neutral Grey / Gargoyle | 1016510
Terradora Leather WP Black / Steel Grey | 1018017
Terradora Ethos Grape Wine / Grape Kiss | 1018621
KEENFOOTWEAR.COM
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A TRAILFIT CITY GUIDE: BERLIN CAITLIN COLLINS, ADVENTURE TRAVELLER AND TERRADORA FAN
Keep track on Caitlins adventures and follow her on Instagram www.instagram.com/augustaleighphoto and on www.augustaleigh.com
My name is Caitlin Collins, and I am living in the fascinating city of Berlin. After graduating from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in Business Entrepreneurship, I embarked on a five-month backpacking trip across Europe. It was here that I fell in love with photography. I love exploring new places and cultures along with learning new photography techniques. After living in Berlin for 2 years now, I still feel like I’m on a neverending holiday. There is an almost overwhelming amount of things to see or do. The culturally and historically rich city is thriving with art galleries, street 30
art, artisan cafes, lakes, parks, rivers, and anything your heart desires.
They’re casual enough to walk around the city in but supportive enough to go on those lake hikes outside of town.
Nature in Berlin Berlin is one of the greenest cities in the world and has some great bike lines — I cycle and walk pretty much everywhere. When you are landing in Berlin you can see the vast green forest and lakes that surround the city from above. From almost any direction in the city you can be at a lake within 30 minutes. At this moment I am rocking my new KEEN Terradora waterproof boots.
Berlin is the perfect city to implement KEEN’s TrailFit movement. My first favorite TrailFit activity is jumping on the S Bahn to head down to Potsdam. The charming village is right outside of Berlin and has gorgeous green parks, giant palaces, and adorable German architecture. After exploring the enchanting town and nature, you can bike to Wannsee which even has a sandy lake front beach where you can take a dip. On your way back to Berlin you can bike through thick forest-lined
bike trails to Teufelsberg, a former radar station dating back to the Cold War. It is covered in brilliant street art and has panoramic views over Berlin. If you’re looking for a nice place to jog around or have a picnic, Berlin has never ending options. Another #TrailFit option is exploring Berlin’s Tiergarten which is a massive park with forest, fields to lounge in, delightful gardens and canals, along with one of my favorite Biergartens, Café am Neuen See. You can also take out red paddle boats to explore the pond. On the other side of town is Volksspark Friedrichshain, where I frequently jog. The sprawling park has several hills and never-ending stairs —a great place to get a workout in. Restaurants and Cafés in Berlin As a food photographer in Berlin, I could go on and on about the endlessly brilliant gastronomy scene in Berlin. Two of my favorite spots to take friends when we all want something different is the Turkish Market in Kreuzkölln or Markthalle 9, which is filled with popup food stands, flower shops, bakeries, and fresh produce. Both places are super close to the canal, which is one of my favorite spots for an afternoon jog. From the trails around the canal you can watch people kayak, fish, and even swim in the warmer months. A favorite newbie on the Berlin food scene is Selig, a gorgeous cafe connected to an old church in Neukölln. It’s super close to Tempelhofer Feld, no longer an airport but now a massive place for people to bike, kite, and have a BBQ. Warschauer
Straße in Friedrichshain is a booming neighborhood to try trendy restaurants. Khwan serves regional Thai flavors and welcomes you to eat with your hands. They have a wood-fired pit that makes you drool from miles away. Down the street is another favorite, Santa Cantina. The Mexican Fusion restaurant puts a creative twist on the cuisine using things like hibiscus flowers and strawberries. The coffee culture in Berlin is world acclaimed. THE BARN Café is well known for its dedication to the coffee where they roast in-house from sustainably farmed beansw. Bonanza Coffee near the famous Mauer Park is another great stop for a remarkable cup of coffee. From here you can cross the street and walk all around Mauer Park (the best day to go is Sunday) and listen to live karaoke, eat all kinds of hip food at the food trucks, or browse the massive flea market for antique finds. Berlin doesn’t have a shortage of places to get a drink with some epic views. Klunkerkranich is mysteriously found on the top of the Arkaden mall in Neukölln. The compound feeling bar typically has DJs or live music, along with plenty of lounge areas and the best views of the city. Monkey Bar, found at the top of Berlin’s 25 Hours Hotel, is a swanky bar with fancy cocktails and views over the Zoo and City West. Last but not least, SKYBAR, at the top of Vienna House Andel’s Berlin Hotel. With a straight shot of the TV Tower, you’re 65 meters high above the city.
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ARCHIPELAGO ACTION KEEN EVOFIT ONE PLUNGES INTO TROPICAL EXPLORATION On hot, humid treks and coastal excursions, the EVOFIT ONE sandal proved to be a versatile beast in the wilds of Central America.
KEEN EVOFIT ONE
JUMPING INTO JUNGLES EVOFIT ONE IN ACTION
Isletas de Granada, Nicaragua N11°54'48.2' W85°55'39.9'
Nicaragua is wild. It’s dramatic. It’s wildly dramatic. Whether you’re here for the volcanoes, the beaches, or the wildlife, there’s enough to keep a traveler busy for months. But you don’t have to go deep into jungles to see it all (though we definitely recommend that, too). Some adventures are right on the edge of town. The Isletas de Granada are just 35 minutes from the cobblestone streets of Granada. It’s instant paradise. You
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can find this maze of 365 floating mini-jungles on the northwest end of Lake Nicaragua. They were created by the eruption of the nearby Mombacho volcano (which is an amazing day trip in itself). You can rent a boat and explore the archipelago. There are plenty of spots that felt like we were in the middle of nowhere. We passed islands whose only inhabitants were swaying palms and curious, almost too-friendly
monkeys. In other areas, it was a different story. Imagine a boat tour of homes—jungle homes. We spotted everything from modest wooden houses to eco-lodges to elaborate summer vacation mansions with pools. Slicing through the green waters, it was hard to imagine how close we were to civilization. Lakes of lily pads. Waves of butterflies. We easily spotted cormorants, herons, vultures, and KEENFOOTWEAR.COM
hawks. Someone spied a parrot, and we didn’t believe them—until we noticed they were everywhere. It’s kind of hard to stop exploring when you never know what’s just around the bend. But hunger (and sunburns) are inevitable, and it was nice knowing Granada—and a night on the town— were so close.
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Men’s EVOFIT ONE Skydiver / Steel Grey | 1018869
IMMERSED IN EVERY ADVENTURE A giant leap forward in comfort and flexibility, the EVOFIT ONE sandal offers performance benefits far beyond the adaptive upper. This versatile, award-winning creature is equipped for virtually any activity outside with a sock-like fit that feels like a second skin.
Men’s EVOFIT ONE Black / White | 1018908
Men’s EVOFIT ONE Gray / Yellow | 1018909
Men’s EVOFIT ONE Lime Green | 1018910
Women’s EVOFIT ONE Black / Pink | 1018905
Women’s EVOFIT ONE Crab Apple / Summer Fig | 1018746
Women’s EVOFIT ONE Gray / White | 1018906
KEENFOOTWEAR.COM
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ALTERNATE - ONE COLOR
FOSTERING FUTURE STEWARDS ALTERNATE - ONE COLOR
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WRITTEN BY MARK STEINBUCK, KEEN EFFECT GRANTS AND COMMUNITY SPECIALIST
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THE KEEN EFFECT GRANT PROGRAM WELCOMES ITS 2018 GRANTEES. With all of the issues surrounding environmental protections and policy this past year, it’s easy to take our eyes off of long-standing issues. Lurking behind all of the headlines of toxic spills, public land heists, and violence are grim stats that hint at a future strongly disconnected from the natural world.
CAREYES FOUNDATION ECOLOGY EDUCATION AND OUTDOOR RECREATION IN COASTAL MEXICO, CAREYES, JALISCO, MX
Develops a hands-on ecology education and outdoor recreation program for underserved rural schoolchildren in Jalisco, Mexico. Through conservation field trips and community bike rides, witness the beauty of coastal ecosystems that helps children become lifelong stewards of their local environment. careyesfoundation.org ISLES, INC. ACTIVATE AND REVITALIZE! COMMUNITY-BASED
So, for our fourth annual KEEN Effect grants cycle, we chose grantees that specifically address the issue of Nature Deficit Disorder — impacting a global generation of children with record low experiences in natural spaces, leaving them with little passion, inspiration, or reason to take action when these spaces need a voice. By selecting programs that bring diverse audiences of children outside for natural science education, adventurous recreation, and environmental stewardship projects, the KEEN Effect grants program is actively building a future where grown-ups can reflect on lasting, formative experiences that built their values in the outdoors and defined their childhoods. We are discovering the best grassroots organizations developing youth in the outdoors worldwide. They are breaking down the silos of outdoor activities, embracing creativity and ingenuity in educational programming, growing scientific literacy, and showing urgent conservation needs while addressing racial, economic, gender, ability and environmental justice.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGAGEMENT, TRENTON, NJ
Engages urban Trenton youth in place-based environmental education and hands-on learning, like urban agriculture, mobile recreation, and green infrastructure. Through gardening and growing food, children learn about public spaces, nutrition and the critical connection they have to the earth. isles. org MISSISSIPPI PARK CONNECTION EVERY KID IN A PARK, ST. PAUL, MN
Introduces 100 fourth and fifth grade classrooms to the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Through watching otters, primitive skills education, fishing, paddling and geocaching, underserved youth will discover the outdoors in their back yard for the first time. parkconnection.org
“We chose grantees that specifically address the issue of Nature Deficit Disorder — impacting a global generation of children with record low experiences in natural spaces.”
ENVIRONMENT FOR THE AMERICAS GALS: GIRLS ON OUTDOOR ADVENTURE FOR LEADERSHIP AND SCIENCE, LONGMONT, CO
Leading high school girls of color on week-long backcountry experiences to explore and study the natural world. Participants are accompanied by scientists to conduct hands-on studies of wildlife, water quality, the impacts of climate change all while backpacking and camping Rocky Mountain National Park. environmentamericas.org 39
“ KEEN Effect grants program is actively building a future where grown-ups can reflect on lasting, formative experiences that built their values in the outdoors and defined their childhoods.�
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CONSERVTZ WATER
CAHABA RIVERKEEPER, INC.
RAINWATER HARVESTING SCHOOLS AND RADIO WATER
CAHABA RIVER ASSESSMENT AND EDUCATION
EDUCATION, NAIROBI, KENYA
PROJECT, BIRMINGHAM, AL
Sets up two school rain harvesting and tree planting projects and a local vernacular radio show in semi-arid Kenya. Children in the region will learn about water conservation projects and then create poems, songs and short stories for other children in the region. facebook.com/conservtz
Educates underprivileged youth and their teachers about the importance, quality, protections, and native perspectives of one of the most aquatically diverse rivers in North America, the Cahaba River of Alabama. Natural science and environmental projects are woven into a recreational setting to create active waterkeepers. cahabariverkeeper.org
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE OF MILWAUKEE, INC. LEAD & LEARN CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM, MILWAUKEE, WI
Provides meaningful employment opportunities in natural resources/ environmental sustainability fields to students of color to encourage future environmental leaders and agents of change. Activities like organic agriculture, prairie restoration, beekeeping, and climate change tracking engage over 500 lowincome youth. neighborhoodhousemke.org
THE LANDS COUNCIL SNOW SCIENCE AND WATER RESOURCES IN A CHANGING CLIMATE, SPOK ANE, WA
Enables local youth to strap on snowshoes, hike up a mountain, and analyze their local water budget up close and personal: in a snow pit where it all begins! Students will calculate watershed runoff, analyze impacts of climate change, practice avalanche safety and awareness, and identify plant/ animal adaptations to winter. landscouncil.org
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CONFIDENCE IS COOL, NEWPORT, RI
Children with physical disabilities like cerebral palsy, spina bifida and down syndrome experience outdoor activities such as sailing, swimming, kite flying, and field trips to the aquarium, zoo and art museum. Self-confidence, teamwork and leadership skills are learned through overcoming adversity. sailtoprevail.org HUMAN ACCESS PROJECT
BACK COUNTRY LAND TRUST LIVING CLASSROOM PROGRAM, ALPINE, CA
Engage local students in environmental education programs on a community-owned nature preserve. Students participate in a hands-on outdoor education curriculum featuring habitat restoration and service learning projects in partnership with teachers and scientific professionals. backcountrylandtrust.org
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OUTREACH, PORTLAND, OR ALTERNATE - FULL COLOR Provides 30 Portland metro schools with education, inspiration, and opportunity to steward the Willamette River. Both inschool presentations and on-site clean-ups and recreation reconnects a community estranged from a once-polluted major waterway. humanaccessproject.com
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These wonderful grantees were chosen by our KEEN Effect Committee – a group of ten KEEN employees from across our organization who play an integral part in forming the direction of our grant dollars. For more than a month this team dove into nearly 900 passionate applications from NGOs spanning nearly all US states and representing several countries. We can’t wait to see the positive impact our eleven grantees make. Visit KeenFootwear.com/grants for more about the KEEN Effect grants program.
MARK STEINBUCK
Mark spends his time dreaming of the shores of Lake Superior, ALTERNATE - ONE COLOR studying anthropology, bringing his kids into the woods, and managing KEEN’s philanthropic giving.
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IT'S ALL ABOUT TOGETH EXPERIENCES THAT GROW THEIR WORLD. AND YOURS. IT’S HELPING THEM FIND THE COURAGE TO PLUNGE DOWN A RIVER ROCK SLIDE OR HELPING YOU REMEMBER THE THRILL OF BEING A KID AGAIN. THEY’RE THE STORIES YOU’LL LAUGH ABOUT LATER, AND THE MOMENTS THEY’LL REFLECT ON YEARS DOWN THE ROAD. IT’S SO MUCH BIGGER THAN THE DESTINATION. OUTDOOR ADVENTURES CONNECT YOU.
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KEEN AMBASSADOR JEREMY COLLINS AND HIS FAMILY EXPLORE THE DESCHUTES RIVER TRAIL IN BEND, OREGON.
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WILD DISCOVERIES KEEN KIDS TERRADORA ESCAPES THE CITY FOR SOME QUALITY FAMILY TIME Exploring a land full of trails, lakes, and forests, the KEEN Kids Terradora boot is a natural fit in Bend, Oregon.
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FOLLOWING THE SUN Bend, Oregon, is known for getting 300 days of sunshine a year. So how funny it was to wake up at our cabin on Elk Lake to rain and snow. In early September. Determined to find sun for our day of fun, we pulled out the map to scope out a new spot for hiking, fishing, and bouldering—three other things in abundance here. We got everyone in the car and drove 30 minutes to the Deschutes River Trail, a superaccessible and family-friendly trail that goes through downtown Bend and winds its way through majestic Ponderosa pine forests and lava flows. In the end, we found our sun. And that winging it usually makes any adventure even better. KIDS TERRADORA IN ACTION
Deschutes River Trail, Bend, Oregon 43°58'12.3"N 121°24'52.9"W
Kids' Terradora Mid WP Gargoyle / Magnet | 1018384 KeenFootwear.com
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NATURALLY ENGAGED KEEN KIDS SANDALS HEAD TO CAMP TO PLAY HARD ALL SUMMER In the season of outside-all-day play, our KEEN Kids sandals protect and support kids at summer camp and beyond.
KIDS HAVE A BLAST AT CAMP COLLINS IN GRESHAM, OREGON.
Newport NEO Black / Firey Red | 1018421
SUMMER, HERE WE COME! Hooray for all-day play days! And sandals designed for the next generation of adventure seekers. KEEN Kids sandals are the official shoes of summer—all about fun, worry-free protection and comfort. From trail to treehouse to tire swing, kids are covered…and comfortable.
Seacamp II CNX Poseidon / Very Berry | 1014127
Moxie Sandal Silver | 1018360
Newport Neo H2 Legion Blue / Moss | 1018425
Newport H2 Black / Lime Green | 1009965
Newport H2 Very Berry / Fusion Coral | 1014267
Newport H2 Cascade Brown / Camo | 1016595
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KIDS NEWPORT We’re celebrating 15 years of the wild, everyday fun of Newport with a rainbow of new looks for kids that keep the adventures running, jumping, and splashing.
IT'S ALL ABOUT E GETTING OUT INTO THE CITY AND CONNECTING. WITH NEW PEOPLE, NEW DISCOVERIES, AND NEW POSSIBILITIES. FROM THE DAILY EXPLORATIONS RIGHT THERE IN YOUR URBAN WILDERNESS TO THE OUT- OF-TOWN ESCAPES FOR A FRESH PERSPECTIVE. IT’S ALL THOSE MOMENTS THAT SPARK SOMETHING INSIDE YOU—SELF-EXPRESSION, CREATIVITY, PASSION. ACTION.
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KEEN AMBASSADOR AKI YAMASHITA GUIDES HIS FRIENDS AROUND THE CITY OF TOKYO.
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OPEN ITINERARY KEEN UNEEK PIVOTS ON A METROPOLITAN MINUTE With the freedom to take in all the flavors of Tokyo, our KEEN UNEEK shoes bring a comfort factor to the streets of Shibuya.
FINDING RAMEN UNEEK IN ACTION
Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan N35°39'57.2' W139°42'12.4'
It isn’t something you’ll find on a tourist map. It isn’t in a guidebook or on a travel blog. Instead, the best ramen shop in Tokyo is usually the one that you happen to walk into. In a city with over 21,000 ramen shops (called ramen-ya), hidden gems abound. They’re sandwiched between apartment buildings, tucked behind department stores, and in narrow alleys—that 3-seat counter in a chaotic food market just might be serving the best tantanmen ramen ever made.
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The abundance of places to fall in love with ramen is only rivaled by the ways you can order it. There are the four types of ramen: shio (salt), shoyu (soy sauce), miso (fermented bean paste), and tonkotsu (pork). And what you put on top of it—typically bamboo shoots, char siu (pork), boiled eggs, fish cakes, nori, onions, bean sprouts, corn, butter, wakame, ginger, and mushrooms. It can be hot or cold, eaten with broth or without it. Sometimes, ramen is just noodles dipped in sauce.
If it all sounds a bit overwhelming—well, it kind of is. Especially when you're hungry. We were facing this abundance of choice when we came up with the saying, “Don’t let too many choices spoil the ramen.” (It hasn’t caught on yet.) That’s also when our guide shared the secret to ordering the best ramen in Tokyo: “osusume.” No, it’s not yet another type of ramen. It means, roughly, “whatever you recommended.” And while this may seem like a choice only for the brave and adventurous, it really isn’t. KEENFOOTWEAR.COM
The payoff is a steamy bowl of goodness to rival any ramen you’ve ever had back home. Or anywhere else, for that matter. Here's a tip, you don’t have to slurp your ramen to be polite, but it does help cool the noodles, allowing you to eat more ramen, faster—which is always a good thing.
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AS THE DAY TRANSITIONS TO EVENING, AKI GETS READY FOR A NIGHT OUT SIPPING SAKE IN THE UNEEK EXO.
Men’s UNEEK EXO Dark Olive / Antique Brass | 1018768
DESIGNED FOR LIFE ON THE GO A universe of self-expression meets a whole wide world of discoveries. The UNEEK collection is full of possibilities—the free-moving cords create a custom fit, the lightweight design keeps you moving, and the enhanced traction navigates through any surroundings.
UNEEK EXO
UNEEK 02
UNEEK
The next chapter of selfexpression brings a sock-like fit and flexible construction that fuses style and versatility.
Sandal in the front, sneaker in the back—for a best-of-bothworlds shoe with loads of heel appeal.
Two cords and a sole—the innovative construction adapts to your feet for a perfect fit.
Men’s UNEEK EXO Dress Blues / Steel Grey | 1018767
Men’s UNEEK 02 Black / Black | 1018709
Men’s UNEEK Antique Bronze / Canteen | 1018673
Women’s UNEEK EXO Etherea / Plaza Taupe | 1018773
Women’s UNEEK 02 Steel Grey / Vapor | 1018733
Women’s UNEEK Summer Fig / Crab Apple | 1018696
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PUTTING KEEN BOOTS ON THE GROUND IN HOUSTON ALTERNATE - ONE COLOR
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BY JEFF SNOW, KEEN SR. SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
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AFTER TEAMING UP WITH FANS TO DONATE $100,000 TO HURRICANE HARVEY RELIEF, KEEN EMPLOYEES ACTIVATE TO DIRECTLY HELP VICTIMS. Do you remember where you were when Hurricane Sandy hit? What about Hurricane Katrina? Even though I was thousands of miles away from either storm, for some reason, I can tell you exactly where I was and what I was doing for both. Hurricane season has kind of become a spectator sport for people who live well outside the range of these destructive storms’ reach. You’re either glued to the news or The Weather Channel waiting for the shots of sideways rain, trees bending further than you ever thought possible, and the absolute absence of people besides meteorologist Jim Cantore. This isn’t a criticism or a cultural observation, it’s just the result of feeling helpless for other people and being left with the only option of watching and waiting for the reports to come out. For Hurricane Harvey, I actually can’t tell you where I was or what I was doing when it made landfall. I like to think it’s because I was starting a new job in a new city and there was just “too much” going on. Looking back, it’s ironic that my decision to start a new position at KEEN would enable me to get more involved and much closer to the storm that I felt furthest from. Because ten days later, I was on a plane heading there.
A CULTURE OF TAKING ACTION KEEN has a deep history of giving and engaging in disaster relief—the values that make up the company are put front and center all the time. With Harvey, KEEN started offering support to the affected area in Texas before the storm even hit land. We worked directly with our longtime non-profit partner, All Hands Volunteers, to coordinate a product donation for first responders and volunteers to ensure that people had safe footwear to work in that environment, and KEEN later made a financial donation to All Hands to support recovery operations. Because of our relationship with All Hands, KEEN was able to send employees down to volunteer. After a simple one line email from my boss asking if I wanted to go down to Houston and help, and about ten days of logistical planning, I was on a plane with two other employees from our Portland headquarters. After touching down, we met up with three KEEN field service representatives at our base of operations for the week—a church that was housing about 80 other volunteers plus the All Hands staff. Our team of six grabbed whatever open bunks were left and tried to figure out the routine. The basic program was: wake up around 6 or 6:30 in the morning, stagger to the coffee, eat breakfast, pack your lunch and food for the day, round up with your group and get your daily assignment, head out in a rental van, get gas, stop by the tool depot, load up a wide selection of tools ranging from basic hand tools and power tools to sledge hammers and five-foot pry bars, and then get more coffee next door.
“ We worked directly with our longtime nonprofit partner, All Hands Volunteers, to coordinate a product donation for first responders and volunteers.” 63
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We drove anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour to get to our projects. What I noticed driving around the city was that buildings looked older than they were, like they had been artificially aged. Every so often you could see a highwater mark distinctly four feet or higher on buildings. Then we would turn into a neighborhood and the view changed dramatically. You could see, smell, and sometimes taste the destruction. Lining both sides of most streets were mounds of drywall, furniture, insulation, wood, and things that looked like garbage but a few weeks earlier had likely been prized possessions. We would park and get out of the car to meet a homeowner, and the piles of debris would be up to our shoulders. This signified the work that we were about to do, mucking out homes.
walls straight through the floor plan. Anything salvageable was carefully stacked in the center of the room or moved outside when and where possible. Sometimes the homeowner would be there helping, but most of the time these homeowners were elderly or physically unable to do the work, which made our reason for being there that much more meaningful. I learned that we were focusing primarily on locations that were lower income or elderly, which I didn’t know going into the trip.
BETTER TAKES ACTION THE HARDEST WORK WEEK WITH
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Our job was to remove everything that could absorb water or had deteriorated from being underwater—from a height of about 4 feet down to the floor. Once we connected with the homeowner, we would break off and tackle our own sections of house. Someone would focus on the walls, someone would take carpet out (if it was still there), someone would work on taking off trim. If there was a bathroom or a kitchen, we would have to pull out the cupboards as best ALTERNATE - FULL COLOR we could. Some small projects became huge and some huge projects went really quick. Wheelbarrow loads would migrate out to the curb along with full bags of debris. It was organized, sweaty chaos.
After hours of sweating through everything, a house would transform from normal to looking like it was ALTERNATE - FULL COLOR half-dressed. You would be able to see through the lower half of the
At the end of each day, we would get out of the rental van, take our boots off outside and line them up with the other 80 pairs of work boots. We would shower as fast as possible and try to relax and recover. In all the conversations with each other, you could feel the sense of pride and PRIMARY - ONE COLOR purpose in the work that was being done. There was camaraderie between each team and between people whose only interaction was holding a bag open for someone to shovel drywall into. The drive to want to help people was so strong, and it was extremely fulfilling to go from hurricane spectator to volunteer. It’s an experience I will never forget.
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“ Most of the time these homeowners were elderly or physically unable to do the work, which made our reason for being there that much more meaningful.” JEFF SNOW, ALTERNATE - ONE COLOR SR. SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Avid cyclist and snowboarder. Part time adventurer in and out of the city.
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EUROPEAN EVENTS
KESWICK MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL
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Banff Mountain UK & Ireland tour 13 January – 19 May 2018
Keswick Mountain Festival 8 – 10 June 2018
Camp Wildfire 31 August – 03 September 2018
The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is back in the UK and Ireland for 2018, with more shows than ever before. Coming to 60 destinations around Britain and Ireland, the Tour will showcase a brand-new selection of the best mountain and adventure films from the world’s top adventure film-makers. Join the Film Festival for a chance of winning a pair of KEEN shoes, a chance to join KEEN Ambassador Sophie Everard on a women’s fitness, surf and adventure retreat this summer or a very manly axcellent adventure workshop with our friends from Miscellaneous Adventures. www.banff-uk.com/
The Keswick Mountain Festival combines both outdoor long distance sports such as running, cycling and swimming with live music performances spread across a number of stages, giving you the chance to see all of your favorite artists to the backdrop of a beautiful mountain top view. KEEN presents adventure talks from real-life adventure travelers (& KEEN ambassadors) and you can join the KEEN Trailfit sessions to try on a pair of Terradora’s and learn about outside fitness by one of our experienced trailfit trainers. www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk/
This is the Summer Camp you’ve been dreaming of since you were a child. The combination of over 50 adventure outdoor activities to take part in with the live performances from your favorite bands, Camp Wildfire has it all. Beat the KEEN obstacle run by choosing your right footwear weapon of choice in the KEEN cabin and make it to the KEEN patrol games grande finale. www.campwildfire.co.uk/
DAVE CORNTHWAITE ADVENTURER
SOPHIE EVERARD WRITER / FREE-SURFER / TRAVELER Sophie Everard is a firm believer that keeping a strong, healthy body & mind enables a person to be more prepared for whatever life throws at them. With that philosophy, Sophie has created her own surfing retreats called Mad to Live with the aim to provide one-to-one surfing lessons for young people with mental health issues as a way of getting them outside, doing physical exercise and feeling more confident about themselves. Find out more here: www.madtoliveblog.com
In 2017, Dave went to Norway to complete his 14th Expedition1000 with his Schiller Bike Norway adventure. He spent 9 weeks pedaling 1,243miles breaking the world record for the longest distance completed by water bike. Follow Dave here: www.sayyesmore.com PHOTOS: ADAM BROWNE@YELLOW MATILDA
EU AMBASSADORS LAURA KENNINGTON ADVENTURE ATHLETE Last May, Laura created a 281km cycling challenge “Pedaling for Patisserie”, going from London to Paris within 24hrs. Leaving Greenwich (UK) at 4pm (GMT) and arriving before 5pm (CET) at the Eiffel tower, where a fresh French croissant was waiting for them. After that, Laura set off to the island Fuerteventura, where she challenged herself to run 100miles in 4 consecutive days! Next up, “Pedaling for Pancakes”, leaving London on Monday afternoon, she cycled all the way (except for the ferry part) to the KEEN office in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Find out more about Laura here: www.lauraexplorer.com
RICHARD-TILNEY-BASSETT PHOTOGRAPHER / TRAVELER Richard is the creator of The Glass Passport – traveling the world with his camera. Trading his photography skills in exchange for food, transport and a place to stay. Richard has done a lot in the past year, from working together with nonprofit organizations in Uganda to working with big cooperations in Dubai (and let’s not forget the Terradora shoot he did for KEEN EU). He has made over 75 trades and a lot of new friends. www.theglasspassport.com
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