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On behalf of Patagoniacs everywhere, we dedicate The Cleanest Line to YC and Malinda. Thanks for everything. Patagonia holiday party 2005. Photo: Dave Kanarek
Author Eric Blehm is a longtime friend and field-report contributor of ours. His latest book, The Last Season, has just been released as a paperback version with a new cover and 16 new pages of text/photos, including an interview with the author, a tribute to mountaineer Patty Ramber, and an essay by Randy Morgenson (the…
A Letter From Bill McKibben Dear Friends— This is an invitation to help start a movement—to take one spring day and use it to reshape the future. Those of us who know that climate change is the greatest threat civilization now faces have science on our side; we have economists and policy specialists, courageous mayors…
Patagonia surf ambassador Mary Osborne just sent word that she’s going to be helping surf legend Robert August and Free Wheelchair Mission distribute 10,000 wheelchairs in Costa Rica. The project will be documented in a series of short videos narrated by Mary, Robert and Robert’s son, Sam August. We’ll try and wrangle a firsthand report…
"The time is five o’clock, and I aaaaaaam outta here!" Everyday, all the little worker bees at Patagonia HQ eagerly await those sweet words from our frisbee-freak receptionist Chipper Bro, but never more so than on Friday afternoon. Some folks bust out their aloha shirts to celebrate Friday, while others simply don’t show up to…
Doug Tompkins is coming under fire once again in Argentina for his efforts to protect the environment. As most of you know, Doug and his wife, Kris Tomkins (former CEO of Patagonia), are buying large pieces of undeveloped land in Argentina and Chile in hopes of preserving the wild landscapes and ecosystems for future generations…
I was driving along the P.C.H. looking for an empty peak when I happened upon a surfer catching a lumpy right. I pulled over to see if there was anything consistent rolling through when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw it. A man stepped out of the van parked in front of me, looked around, and tossed his kitchen sized bag of garbage into the rocks. As I processed what I had just witnessed, his compatriot climbed out of the driver’s seat. Dirty rag in hand, the man started walking towards the rocks, while making a series of “any witnesses around” glances over his shoulder.
Our challenge from the Spring 2006 catalog has been answered. Becca from Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City proved us wrong by climbing Sundance (5.10a) in her Morning Glory Dress. You rock Becca! This really made our day. When your travels take you to the Lake Tahoe area, be sure and say hi to the crew…
Can’t say I’ve ever heard of the CRO (Corporate Responsibility Officer), but they have graciously awarded Patagonia a 2006 Business Ethics Award. We won’t bore you with a long acceptance speech, but we’re grateful for the recognition. Thanks CRO! Business Ethics 18th Annual Awards [via Jackson Library Blog]
Can a Sierra Club activist and an oil platform designer be the first to install a wind farm off the coast of the United States? According to a recent article in Wired magazine they just might, and they’re planning to do it by recycling old oil rigs. I just love the mixture of irony and…
Hopefully you’ve all received your Spring 2007 catalog by now. I believe it’s one of our finest catalogs to date, thanks in part to Glen Denny and his stunning black and white photos from the 1960’s. Check out a slideshow of Glen’s photos from his new book Yosemite in the Sixties (or limited edition) and…
From the press release:VENTURA, Calif., March 5 /PRNewswire/ — Patagonia, the outdoor apparel manufacturer, announced today that the company’s Reno Service Center, was recently honored with the GOLD level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). With this esteemed certification, Patagonia’s distribution center becomes only the second…
As a young skater growing up on the east coast in the 80s, Christian Hosoi had already achieved iconic status amongst my circle of friends. Some of our earliest glimpses of professional skateboarding, which at the time existed almost entirely on the west coast (SoCal specifically), were delivered courtesy of Thrasher Magazine and featured coverage of the scene and contests going on at Del Mar Skate Park. Christian Hosoi’s style practically jumped out of the pages.
Editor’s note: Whenever Patagoina ambassador Ron Kauk visits the office I always try to track him down and say hello. I have great respect for Ron even though I’m not much of a climber. His love for Nature is deep and he seems to carry the spirit of Yosemite with him wherever he goes. Here’s…
The self-professed ‘Great Irritant’, Doug Peacock, stopped by the Patagonia campus today. Doug was kind enough to share some of his archival footage of the Grizzly bear (AKA “the Grizz”) filmed in and around the Rocky Mountains during the 70’s. He also read some journal passages from those times, as well as some excerpts from his books. Most importantly though, Doug spoke passionately about his relationship with the Grizzly bears and the tragic consequences that the de-listing of the Yellowstone population from the Endangered Species List will cause.
While parts of the West have been enjoying some of the best snow in decades, Winter ’06-’07 in the Sierra has been among the worst many can remember. Recent storms close to our Patagonia Distribution Center here in Reno have been a balm to our wounded winter spirits, but we’re still a far cry from…
Patagonia’s environmental commitment extends to its extensive support of the Conservacion Patagonica program. Each year, employees have the opportunity to participate in one of three separate service trips designed to tackle the mountainous work required to transform retired ranches into a stunning new national park. This report comes to us from recent trip participant Andy Mitchell, of Patagonia’s…
Just got word from a tipster in the edit department about an opportunity for Patagoniacs in the Northeast to affect the climate change discussion. Sorry for the late notice on this one. I’m sure you can join up with the walk at any point. Action Now on Global Warming: Join Bill McKibben on the Interfaith…
Steve House just contacted us from Iceland. He wanted to share his opinion regarding the future of the Piolet d’Or and how it might better reflect the values of hard alpinism. Marko Prezelj initiated this discussion by declining to accept the award at this year’s ceremony. Those in the know can skip straight to Steve’s…
This past Monday evening surfing great Shaun Tomson gave a slideshow presentation to a packed house at our Ventura retail store, Great Pacific Iron Works. Brett from the GPIW staff sent over some pictures from the event and a short writeup (more photos after the jump). Patagonia once again outdoes itself by bringing in a…
Back in ’01-’02, well before Oceans as Wilderness, our environmental focus was on genetic engineering. While there were some victories associated with that campaign, the issue has not gone away. The following action alert came from one of our environmental grantees in California. Hopefully, more states will follow suit. Support New Legislation Protecting Communities and…
We got this field report from Laura Cooper, a Virginian living in Oregon. I really liked her story, writing and dedication to the outdoors – she’s an ESL teacher who spends most of her time backpacking, skiing and reading, as well as birding, paddling, and taking pictures.Thanks for the great report Laura! After forty-five minutes…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we’ll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn’t mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
Today we have a special treat for you. Patagonia field report contributor Fitz Cahall just alerted us to his new podcast The Dirtbag Diaries. If you’re at all a fan of our field reports please take a moment and listen to Fitz speak his writing to life. You can either listen now via the embedded…
You’re all pretty familiar with the Dawn Patrol (DP) idea by this point: wake with the roosters, drive blear-eyed through the pre-dawn black, exit warm car in the belly of the night’s bitter cold, strap on headlamps and start slogging uphill through dark and snow, all for a token taste of skiing before work. I…
For those who don’t know about the Ojai Raptor Center, run by long-time Patagonia employee Kim Stroud, you should check it out in person or online at www.ojairaptorcenter.org I recently visited the center behind Kim’s home and was amazed at the work she’s doing for orphaned and injured birds of prey.When I first heard mention…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadorsare responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through thepaces before we’ll add a new product to our lineup. But just becausesomething reaches our shelves doesn’t mean testing is over. Once a newitem shows up in our catalogs, our Customer Service staff…
Bend, Oregon – The American Alpine Club presented its prestigious David R. Brower Award for conservation to Yvon Chouinard this Saturday, March 31. A quote from the American Alpine Club’s announcement: The Brower Award, created in 1991, recognizes leadership and commitmentto preserving mountain regions worldwide. The awardee, whose activepersonal role deserves public recognition, has made…
Check out this recent article in the LA Times – Ethanol Market, USDA Policies Shrink Conservation Reserve by Tim Reiterman – about how the government’s plan to boost corn production to meet rising ethanol demands could adversely affect our conservation areas.It’s a great article because it shows how switching to less environmentally harmful practices on…
Following up on his recent talk at Patagonia HQ, Doug Peacock just sent us the following letter on behalf of Yellowstone Grizzlies. Make sure and click the "Continue reading" link for details on how you can help. Your support is greatly encouraged and appreciated. Dear Friends: On March 29, 2007, the Department of the Interior…
Today’s post comes from Matt O’Conner of Boulder, Colorado. Matt’s currently running Franklin Handholds and sells climbing walls for the Eldorado Wall Company. He also keeps his own blog. His letter isn’t the first of its kind – we’ve received many similar stories from customers over the years – but it’s the first we’ve received…
Fifteen year-olds scare me to death. I’ve never been cool, and 15 was when my nerdiness fleshedout in all its glorious fullness. And now, the great karmic card dealer has dealt me this hand: I’ll be living with a whole posse of them in the Tetons for the next three weeks. I’m used to guiding…
Joern Zeller of Patagonia’s Pro Sales Dept. in Europe shows off a true French ski bum during arecent visit to the High Sierra. Joern’s part of a unique international community of skiers who call themselves Telemarkzone. They’ve made it their mission to travel the globe demonstrating skiing as one of the most natural ways to…
The latest episode of The Dirtbag Diaries went live on Thursday for your podcasting pleasure. From the site: Many of us associate our vehicles with freedom,independence and youth. Even as we come to terms with the fact thatautomobiles may be an unnecessary evil, it’s hard not to think back tothat first surf or climbing trip…
Ever since Bend to Baja took the Interwebs by storm in late 2005, we’ve received a pretty steady flow of inquiries from friends and customers about how they can convert their own diesel rigs to run on straight vegetable oil. A recent article from the Santa Barbara Independent serves as a nice primer for anyone…
So much of what we do stems from the desire to improve the world for the next generation. And here at Pat. HQ we’re constantly reminded of that responsibility by the kids we see playing at our onsite daycare center. Patagonia customer Chris Stelter makes us optimistic for the future with this heart-warming contribution. Chris…
Another great contribution from a former employee of one of our many Independent Patagonia Dealers. The Cleanest Line Crew, Patagonia is about getting to the source. The source of where materials come from. The outdoors, the source of the passion and commitment by the enthusiasts that Patagonia’s products are designed by and for. I worked…
Need a soundtrack for your Earth Day celebrations? Thought so. Grassroots radio maestro extraordinaire Don Darue has been "servin’ ’em up covered and smothered" for purt-near 20 years on the homegrown radio show The Risky Biscuit Hayseed Hoot. One of Dondo’s specialties is the Annual Edward Abbey Memorial Tribute Edition of the show. Wanna get…
Thank you for all you do on behalf of our beautiful home. Smell the flowers, hug a tree, thank a bee and enjoy this special Earth Day episode of the Risky Biscuit Hayseed Hoot. Listen to "Songs and tunes for the Earth, about the Earth and forearthlings" [Photo: Apollo 17 Crew & NASA. With thanks…
The following report is brought to us by Ken Larussa, from our Reno Distribution Center, home of Patagonia’s Customer Service. If you’re a long-time customer, chances are good you’ve spoken to Ken at least once. After hearing about Ken’s trip and seeing his pictures, we’re lucky he came back. Wool. We all know it comes…
There are few pristine places left in the ocean, and our understanding of what is natural has shifted dramatically over time. But in the Line Islands there is an atoll where the corals are healthy and sharks are king. Last month, in support of our Oceans as Wilderness campaign, marine ecologist Dr. Enric Sala visited…
The days are gone when I would cruise solo to work, blasting the music, surfboard on the roof, checking all the breaks along the way. Now with two small children in tow, I carpool down the 101 with another mom to the Patagonia headquarters in Ventura. We travel together as families, bringing our kids to…
Ray King, the manager of our Santa Cruz outlet store, sent us his take on the 2007 Surf Kayak Festival held at Steamer Lane, where Patagonia’s director of direct marketing, Morlee Griswold, took first place in the women’s international division. Generally speaking, if it’s foggy in the morning the sun will burn through by the…
If you live in the Reno area or happen to be there on May 17, please join Rick Ridgeway for this special event at the Patagonia Service Center. Those not in the area can read about Rick’s journey in his book The Big Open: On Foot Across Tibet’s Chang Tang. THE BIG OPEN On Foot…
We just got word from Fitz Cahall that the newest episode of The Dirtbag Diaries is now live. In this special episode Fitz adds photographs to his podcast to help tell the story of adventure photographer Corey Rich and his unique profession. Watch and listen on your computer or download it to your photo-ready iPod…
You’ve heard of the dude. But unless you’ve visited Patagonia HQ, taken a Surfclass in Ventura or happen to be a freestyle Frisbee player, chances are you haven’t heard of the bro. I’m talking about Chipper "Bro" Bell, the voice of Patagonia and 11-time World Freestyle Frisbee Champion. Check out Chipper Bro in action 0:42…
Several years ago I ran across the howies site. I felt they had a similar vibe, a focus on the environment and sports but with a stronger focus on cycling than we did, so I got hooked. I wrote to see if I could place an overseas order and a nice guy named Ade helped…
Have a look/listen at a segment from today’s Morning Edition on how businesses are trying to reduce their impact on global warming: California Company Works to Cut, Adapt to Warming And for what it’s worth, I’ve never been fortunate enough to see a mouse scurry across the floor during a line presentation (listen to the…
Attention fly fishers: Steve Stracqualursi, fly fishing product line director for Patagonia, is looking for feedback to help make our already-awesome waders even better. Visit his weblog WayUpStream and let him know what you’re looking for. [With thanks to The Trout Underground]
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we’ll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn’t mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
If you live or happen to be in the Boulder, CO area this weekend, be sure and stop by the Boulder Adventure Film Festival and Dirt Days. The festival, which starts tomorrow (May 11), is wonderfully organized by climber/writer/photographer, and Patagonia catalog contributor, Jonathan Copp. The films look great and the Dirt Days events will…
Congratulations are in order for Patagonia paddling ambassador Eric Jackson and his family. Mark, our product line director for paddling, sends word: I’d like to share the great news that our paddling ambassadors Eric, Emily, and Dane Jackson took home top spots in this year’s World Freestyle Kayaking Championships: Eric Jackson – Men’s 1st placeEmily…
There was a somewhat quiet challenge issued deep in the comments of the "Support Human Power" post about who could saddle up more of their crew for Bike to Work Week: our Ventura HQ or the Reno Distribution Center. Not that it’s a contest or anything . . . BUT, well, we are feeling a…
What to do when you want to participate in Bike to Work Week but your commute’s a beefy one? Follow Team Bacon Strip. If the ride’s a long one, these guys aren’t afraid to start the night before. If you’re in the Reno area and want to punctuate your Bike to Work Week in fine…
For most of us at Patagonia, biking to work is choice versus driving our cars. But for the world’s poorest communities, a bicycle is one of few affordable transportation options. Grayson Schaffer, Associate Editor for Outside magazine, has written a post for the blog Those Responsible about hardcore kayaker Ed Lucero and the bike he…
An impressive-enough commute by car, 2 states and 3 counties are exactly what some of the folks who work in our Reno Distribution Center pedaled through to get to work Thursday morning. Undaunted by distance and mountain passes, Nate Hanson (Pro Sales), Tim Kipp (Customer Service), Anne Cahill (Account Manager), Rob Flesher (Call Center Mgr.)…
We just wrapped up Bike-to-Work Week here in Ventura with a groovy happy hour and raffle. A quick tally shows that Ventura employees rode 1,979 miles this week and Reno rode a whopping 2,789 miles! (Stay tuned for the Retail store totals.) According to Bike Metro and the EPA, by riding our bikes instead of…
The results are in from the retail store Bike-to-Work challenge. Nick from Patagonia Seattle — the store that instigated the friendly competition — gives us the lowdown: The final numbers are in and we have the results for the Retail Cycling Challenge. First, I would like to say thank you to all the stores that…
Fitz Cahall helps us shake off the Monday blues with a wonderful tale of travel improvisation as told in the newest episode of The Dirtbag Diaires. There is a fine line between a life-lasting memory and disaster. Whatever the discipline – alpinism, big wave surfing, foreign travel – we calculate risk, formulate plans and sometimes…
Friend of The Cleanest Line and periodic commenter, CM, hipped us to a cool program put on by our comrades over at Element Skateboards called Elemental Awareness. "Even though this month is celebrating the bicycle. I felt other non carbon producing forms of transportation need a little spotlight. Skateboarding isn’t just for the kids. Sidewalk…
If you’re interested in businesses-gone-green, take a look at "Executive on a Mission: Saving the Planet" by Cornelia Dean. (Note: This is a NY Times article and will only be viewable by non-subscribers for approximately one week.) It’s great to hear more success stories of reformed businessmen and their environmental experiments. Let’s hope interest among…
I love sport. I love to sweat. I am addicted to endorphins. And the easiest way to get my fix is to run. I heard once that it takes 30 days to form a habit. So finally after all of my bemoaning I have got myself a running habit. It works out well, all you…
This post comes from Patagoniac Kristin Jaeger, a PhD graduate student at Colorado State University who’s studying fluvial geomorphology. Kristin originally submitted this as an environmental essay for our catalog, but since it didn’t fit our current theme of Oceans as Wilderness we’re gladly presenting it here. If you have a story about invasive species…
We now turn our attention from the eradication of invasive species to the reintroduction of native species. Kris Tompkins, head of Conservacion Patagonica, sends word of a celebration on behalf of the giant anteater. Dear Family and Friends, After over two years of acquiring permissions from numerous national governmental agencies and four provinces, months spent…
You don’t hear those terms used together very often, if ever. But when former Patagonia sales rep turned filmmaker, Hansi Johnson, got the call to produce a video for the band Low, he drew on two of his passions to make a very strong point about the state of the environment. Hansi decided to focus…
I just received word this morning from my friends up at the Buffalo Field Campaign in West Yellowstone. Montana’s Department of Livestock is planning on trapping and slaughtering 300 wild buffalo – including calves as young as a few weeks, and their mothers. The agency plans to begin the roundup on Thursday, May 31. It’s…
April 1996: We had a hundred acres to plant – Ponderosa Pine, Doug Fir, and Blue Spruce – but the nursery kept claiming that the seedlings were buried underneath persistent snow. I was cooling my heels in LaGrande, Oregon, waiting for the work to begin when the call came. It was Joe Josephson, inviting me…
by Jeff Johnson Editor's note: We're stoked to introduce a new feature on The Cleanest Line from Bend to Baja author/photographer Jeff Johnson. Jeff's work has appeared in The Surfer’s Journal, Surfer’s Path, Alpinist, Surfing, Surfer and the Patagonia catalog. When we don't have him chained to a desk at Pat. HQ in Ventura, Jeff…
Just last week, Montana’s Department of Livestock had plans to round up 300 wild buffalo (including babies) and ship them off this morning, June 4, to slaughter, because they’d wandered outside the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park. Thanks to the efforts of the Buffalo Field Campaign, their supporters and all of the media that picked…
Gather ’round the campfire one and all; embrace a loved one or grab a cold one; smoke ’em if you got ’em and leave your troubles behind. It’s time for another episode of The Dirtbag Diaries with Fitz Cahall: In May of 2007, I made a mistake that should have cost me my life when…
Plastic bags make me cringe. They’re given away excessively at grocery stores and markets with barely a thought as to how they’ll be disposed or where they might end up. One gallon of milk? Two plastic bags. Greeting card? Plastic bag. Fresh produce? One plastic bag for each variety please. Plastic, plastic, everywhere. And none…
They say it takes about 30 days to form a new habit. It’s been about 30 days since we got rollingwith our Bike to Work Week festivities, so it’s time to check in: How y’all doing with that new habit of rolling through the sunny summer mornings on your way to the daily grind? Having…
Doug and Kris Tompkins were interviewed and Parque Pumalin toured last night on ABC’s Nightline. You can read a nice written recap of the story, with plenty of choice quotes from Doug and Kris, at the ABC News website. There’s also a streaming video about Parque Pumalin as a vacation destination. Millionaires With a Mission…
On May 11, Patagonia Ventura employees were treated to an hour-long presentation from Hunter Lovins. Hunter is the president and founder of Natural Capitalism Solutions and co- creator of the Natural Capitalism concept – a whole-system framework that promotes the economic advantages of sustainability. She was also noted by Time magazine as a "Hero for…
Last week, word came out from our friends at the Buffalo Field Campaign in West Yellowstone, Montana, that the state Dept. of Livestock decided not to round up and exterminate 300 wild buffalo (including calves less than a month old). Well, their compassion appears to have been short lived. We received word from the BFC…
You’re truly committed once you buy the plane ticket. And Friday (5/18) I bought my ticket for this summer’s expedition to K6 in north-eastern Pakistan and my mental state instantly changed. Commitment always precipitates realizations. I have a lot of things I want to do before I go; not the least of which is to…
After foraging through several hundred grant proposals, including some stunning 3D applications, we’re ready to announce the winners of this year’s Dirtbag Grant. There are two winners. Each will receive $3,000 to use towards their trip. The first Dirtbag Grant goes to a team of women from the southeast, Rachel Babkirk and Lucia Robinson, who…
Happy Father’s Day to all the Patagoniac dads out there. Hope you had a good one. I’m sure some of you can relate to this sweet story from Ray Aberle. Read "Smaller Summits" How did fatherhood change your outdoor lifestyle? We’d love to read your story in the comments section if you have the time…
Ventura, California Departure: June 8, 2007 Let me introduce myself. My name is Jeff though sometimes people call me Tofu. Yes, I am employed by Patagonia. I work as a photographer, writer, and assist in the testing and production of Patagonia products. I am hitting the road in my van for an undetermined amount of time, simply to…
"Wilderness," by both popular and political definition, is a large physical space devoid of the artifacts of human interference—no occupied permanent structures, no motors, no roads. To be something eligible for protection under the law, Wilderness must be a concrete thing, something that can be measured and documented. But in the wide-open stretches of Eastern…
Sometimes you just gotta clear your head of work. For John and Jake that means throwing up an impromptu slackline and getting zen for a few minutes. Here we see Ben from our Facilities department walking the line for the first time behind Patagonia HQ. Smiles all around. [Photo: Free] [L to R: John tests…
[Lupines give definition to the "blue" in Blue Mass Canyon, Kern Mountains. White Pine County, NV. Photo: David Smoyer. Map: Proposed boundary for Blue Mass Wilderness. Survey work compared on-the-ground realities with this mapped proposal. Remote Nevada dirt roads are often little more than twin shadowy lines of heavily rutted singletrack. Hiking some of these…
sweep of velvet green meadow ringed with aspens, leaves manicured to an even height by the elk, deer, and few free-range cattle that move through these mountains each season. I’ll be leaving the car here, and setting out by bike as soon as I can organize my gear… [Morning blues in the Kerns. Photos: localcrew]…
Navigation of the washout is far from easy, the only reasonablechoice is to completely unload the bike and ferry it and my gear downthe embankment, across the stream, and up the steep and sandy oppositebank. The entire process takes 40 minutes. I cover 30 yards. Theroad on the far side of the creek steepens sharply…
We’ll get your weekend started with a post from Patagoniac and Sociology professor from Kalamazoo College, Dr. Mark A. Ritchie. Dr. Ritchie lives in Thailand and runs a study abroad program for American college students that focuses on the study of ecology and culture, specifically with activist communities in Thailand — groups fighting the damming…
A few months back we posted an update from Mary Osborne on her involvement with Robert August’s Free Wheelchair Mission down in Costa Rica. Mary put together a short video of her trip to Central America, including some sweet footage of her surfing and some pics from her time volunteering at the wheelchair event. [Music…
Fitz Cahall brings us another wonderful tale for the virtual campfire today. In a sea of podcasts the Dirtbag Diaries is a rare species, one of the few honest and inspiring options for outdoor enthusiasts. Please help spread the word by turning on your friends and family to this unique podcast. And now, Episode 7,…
Working at Patagonia is not like working at most other companies.There are many reasons, but one is the lack of rigid hierarchical structure. The office doors of upper management are always open (when there are doors), questions are encouraged and the company’s managers rarely issue edicts or micromanage employees. This decentralized system of doing things…
Visit Patagonia.com for more on Brittany Griffith and to read Jonathan Thesenga's field report about climbing in Stolby.
Jan Ullrich has earned an easy retirement. After winning the ’97 Tour de France at age 23 he became a German national-hero. For the next five years he battled Lance Armstrong earning a record five second-place finishes, too bad for him but it sure made for great racing. This year it was revealed that DNA…
The other day while wandering around Camp 4 in Yosemite I ran into Patagonia ambassador Timmy O’Neill. He was hanging around the SARS site with his brother Sean and some guy named Aron. Timmy asked me if I wanted to climb the Manure Pile with him and Aron. “Sure,” I said. Walking to the parking…
Oil extraction and global warming are today’s hot environmental topics, and for good reason. But if you’re into looking ahead at the next big environmental fight look no further than life’s most basic resource: water. Thankfully there are already some grassroots environmental groups working hard to keep water rights in the hands of the people.…
There was a great interview on Democracy Now the other day with science journalist Chris Mooney, who has a new book called Storm World: Hurricanes, Politics and the Battle Over Global Warming. He looks at how the administration of George W. Bush has meddled with government scientists working on hurricane forecasting, global warming and other…
Talk all you want about so-called “advancements in fly fishing” — ozone hole-depleting fluorocarbon leaders, boron rods with price tags equivalent to your monthly mortgage, and now waders with front zippers so you can relieve yourself while never having to vacate your coveted spot on the river… Forget the fancy gear! What you really need…
Editor’s note: We’re honored to bring Patagonia ambassador Lynn Hill on-board as a contributor to The Cleanest Line. Lynn is no stranger to blogging. For a glimpse into the past 2+ years of her life jump on over to Lynn Hill Blogs. I was a bit surprised to read the following article about osteoarthritis in…
Getting started on Monday morning is always rough. Sometimes it's best to just put on the headphones, drown out the rest of the world, and get lost in a good podcast. From Dirtbag Diaries creator, Fitz Cahall: I want you to think back to the first time you touched granite, rolled a kayak or linked…
Brett Millar from Great Pacific Iron Works, sends us this report about some honored guests who visited recently: Great Pacific Iron Works, the original headquarters for the retail division of Patagonia in Ventura, California had an extremely unusual visitor this past week. Save Our Wild Salmon and their “Extinction Stops Here” road show stopped by…
Podcast number two of The First Time series on The Dirtbag Diaries features Patagonia ambassador Tanya Shuman. From Fitz: Every sport has hallowed ground, a place were legends honed techniquesand innovators forged new technology. Climbers have Yosemite Valley.For mountain bikers, it’s Vancouver’s North Shore. If you’re afreestyle kayaker, there’s one wave, far from any damn-controlledriver,…
This submission came to us from Topher Browne, a Patagonia Ambassador and recovering dirtbag. I have not really been a dirtbag for several years now. I recently traded in the last in a long line of Toyota trucks for an efficient but less than capacious Honda Civic. If I tried to spend the night in…
Ice Climbing at night on Valentine's Day after a full bottle of wine: Get ready for some good times courtesy of The Dirtbag Diaries: Valentine’s Day – For some, it brings to mind romantic candle-lit evenings. For others, mere mention of the holiday conjures up cringe-inducing images of overpriced flowers and public displays of affection.…
by Lynn Hill I've been reading and hearing a lot of talk recently about the ominous phenomenon of bees dying all over the world. Most of what I've read on the subject points to pesticides as a possible reason why the bees are dying. Apparently, many farmers are spraying pesticides on their crops at the…
Many of you are familiar with Steve House's incredible accomplishments. But have you ever wondered about his very first climb? In part 4 of the The First Time series on The Dirtbag Diaries we get to hear about it: If you’ve opened an outdoor magazine in the last three years, you’ve probably read about Steve…
It’s been a fun week of First Time stories thanks to The Dirtbag Diaries. We’ve heard from an extreme sledder, a freestyle kayaker, an ice climber, an alpinist and now, a snowboarder: Snowboarding can’t change a life. Carving four beautiful turns down an impossibly steep face aren’t going to alter a person’s course through this…
After speaking with my friends, Mike Lechlinski and Mari Gingery about their experiences in Yosemite and climbing on El Capitan this summer, I learned that many climbers are not doing their part in keeping the big walls clean. Apparently many people “accidentally” or even intentionally drop their garbage and poop off El Capitan and don’t…
The elusive Corbina are running close to shore this time of the year near Ventura and a few of us are surfcasting countless times trying, hoping, and wishing to land this ghost of the ocean. Yesterday, Mark, one of our buyers at Patagonia and good friend, was on a mission to catch a Bean near…
In the same way we can’t drill our way to oil independence nor can we buy our way to a sustainable future. So was the gist of recent New York Times article on Sunday July 1st. Appropriately placed in the Sunday Styles section of the Times, the article (subscription required) goes on to point out…
Adrienne, one of my co-workers on the Web team, just sent this wonderful report from Japan where she’s halfway through a two-month long environmental internship with Umigame-kan Organization (translated) on Yakushima Island. On July 26, 2007 I saw my first baby sea turtle emerge from its nest. One minute there was nothing and in the next…
As an expert navigator of a craft that’s designed to run strictly on wind power, Patagoniac and US Sailing Team member Andrew Campbell brings us an interesting perspective on the environmental impact of organized competition. Andrew has been a member of the US Sailing Team since 2001 and is currently training and racing his Olympic-class…
by Jeff Johnson Sometimes you forget about your own backyard. While passing through Ventura the other day I had heard about a building south swell. So I hooked up with Patagonia Surf ambassadors Mary Osborne and Chris Malloy and headed south. We ended up posting up all afternoon at a spot north of Malibu. The…
I made a big mistake. It involves garlic. Buying organic is good, right? I tend to think so, especially when my guilt-free organic garlic is now only $0.25 more expensive than its non-certified shelf-mates over at the local eco-chic shop n’ strut. I’m a sucker for getting my values at a bargain, so I took…
Despite intermittent rain, the bouldering excursion to Redcliff was fun and well worth the trip. This collection of boulders is located about twenty-minutes west of Vail in a fairy-tale like setting amongst pine and aspen trees. I went with my friend, Jay Droeger, and his Hungarian friend, Lorent. About ten years ago, Jay discovered this…
On June 15th, we announced the winners of this year’s two Dirtbag Grants. One went to Rachel Babkirk and Lucia Robinson, for their "Down for the Down and Out" trip to climb, camp and collect used gear to distribute to the homeless. The second award went to Australian Simon Clissold, "an overqualified dirtbag" and slow-living…
It is with great sadness that we learned recently of the death of a true friend of the climbing community. Pete Absolon of the National Outdoor Leadership School passed away this weekend in a climbing accident in the Wind River Range of Wyoming. It's hard to find the right words at time like this. We…
The time has come for Patagonia to shift its environmental activism focus from Oceans as Wilderness to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The goal of our new campaign is to help secure permanent protection for the Coastal Plain of the Arctic Refuge through designation as Wilderness. To commemorate the Oceans as Wilderness campaign, we enjoyed…
This just in from some of the folks in our Reno Distribution Center. These people like to ride, which is why they pitch in every year to make sure one of their favorite trails stays in good shape. On Tuesday August 8/7, eight Patagonia employees from Reno worked on the multi-use Hole-in-the-Ground trail near Donner…
I received this voicemail late Thursday night from Steve House. The call came via sat phone from basecamp in Pakistan where Steve, Vince Anderson and Marko Prezelj are in the first stages of attempting to climb K6. In this first update, you can listen to Steve talk about traveling in Pakistan, the weather situation so…
It’s not often that a person feels a small thrill at the sight of a pile of poo. But when ol’ Smokeythrice leaves his calling card in the form of ursine spoor deposited within a short radius of the office, it’s time to take notice. Rumors of bears coming down from the high country due…
Global warming may be a mainstream issue now, but it’s far from being cut and dry. Some people think it’s a myth (read the comments), some think it’s the end of the world and the rest see it as something in between. The scope and complexity of the problem naturally raises more questions than answers.…
I’ve changed the title of this series because in this week’s sat phone update Steve House clarifies that he, Vince Anderson and Marko Prezelj are actually gunning for new routes on both K6 & K7. Steve also talks about finishing up the acclimatization process, the two new routes they’ve climbed already, and surprisingly he brings…
Patagonia wordsmith and former ultrarunner, Craig Holloway recently interviewed Patagonia ambassador, Krissy Moehl about her win at this year’s Hardrock 100 in Silverton, Colorado. Krissy is considered one of the top female ultramarathon runners in the country. Craig: Congratulations on setting the women’s course record (29:24) at the 2007 Hardrock 100. You were the first…
The last few days with my Italian friends have been fun! Yesterday I drove them to the airport and they are probably about to land on their home turf as I write these words. One lives in Rome where I lived for a year and a half, and the other lives in Arco, the historic…
Steve House called again last night from the Charakusa Valley in Pakistan. As you know, he, Vince Anderson and Marko Prezelj have been acclimatizing for first ascents of the west faces of both K6 and K7. It was mostly high-fives and happy times until this report came in. Mother Nature brought some intense weather to…
You might have heard stories about the residents of mountain towns doing funny things from time to time. That was us today, here at Patagonia’s Northern Nevada digs. Staring slack-jawed out the windows, running around yelling at each other, spinning in wild circles outside . . . Why? Well, it rained, that’s why. What’s the…
In this report from the Charakusa Valley, Steve House gives us an excellent description of K7’s features and explains how the team must find a way through the granite buttresses surrounding the base in order to get up on the mountain. Steve also talks about a special lunch they shared with the Colorado and Quebec…
While the rest of us were barbequing, sitting in traffic or off on an adventure of our own, Steve House, Vince Anderson and Marko Prezelj successfully climbed the west summit of K7. Check out Steve’s short update from this morning and stay tuned for a more detailed account of the climb coming soon. Listen to…
Back in June, Charlotte, Annette and Alyssa from the Creative Services department volunteered on Patagonia time for Growing Solutions, a great non-profit doing native plant work on the Channel Islands just off the coast of Ventura. Charlotte sent us this story about their day away from the office. Karen Flagg wrapped her hand around a…
We talk about being committed to the core. Steve House and Lynn Hill are two Patagonia athletes whose stories (both posted recently here on The Cleanest Line) offer a professional insight into this philosophy. Theirs are tales of the unreal made real through the power of intense professional focus. But "committed to the core" does…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we’ll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn’t mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
If you followed the link we posted recently for more information on Steve House’s climbing trip, you might have noticed some changes over at Alpinist Magazine’s Web site, www.alpinist.com. The current issue of the magazine, Alpinist 21, has been redesigned and is printed on 100% recycled paper through an Earth Ink partnership with Patagonia –…
We’ve been having a conversation here at Patagonia of late; one that comes up often. The conversation is about some of our classic designs, time-tested pieces, old favorites. Some of the questions tossed out there: What do we do with those “classics”? Where have they gone? Should they come back? How do the current designs…
If you’ve been following the sat phone updates from Steve House here on The Cleanest Line you know that he, Vince Anderson and Marko Prezelj recently summited the previously unclimbed West Peak of K7 in Pakistan’s Charakusa Valley. Today we present a complete recap of the climb as told by Steve House. It’s tales like…
As reported on Climbing Magazine's site, Coloradans Jonathan Copp and Micah Dash recently made the first ascent of Shafat Fortress in pure alpine style. Located in Kashmir, India, Shafat Fortress stands 19,200-feet tall; the team's line has been dubbed The Colorado Route (VI, 5.11, M6, A1). Full details of the trip have been scarce since…
As promised, Steve House called in again with a quick update from the Charakusa Valley in Pakistan. It sounds like the weather has been bad enough to put the kibosh on K6 West. On the upside, the team is hoping to get out for a Sierra-style rock climb that Steve describes in this update. Listen…
While some Patagonia employee internships take place in remote locations around the world, others happen closer to home in front of a computer screen. It all depends on the skills each of us possess and how best we can help the group we choose to volunteer for. Drew from Patagonia’s I.T. department here in Ventura…
After a well-deserved vacation, Fitz Cahall and The Dirtbag Diaries are back on the air. Episode 9 is presented to you here as both an mp3 podcast and a photo-enhanced video, embedded after the jump. From Fitz: How do people remember the dead? Some people stuff wrinkled snapshots into wallets. Others build ornate mausoleums. Others…
If you’ve visited the homepage of Patagonia.com recently, or flipped through our Fall 2007 catalog, you’ve no doubt seen this incredible image of polar bears lined up on the ice. We’ve already received a few customer comments asking why we would publish a shot that is digitally enhanced. The answer: we didn’t. The masters will…
Explore our guide with tips on how to remove smell from your outdoor clothing. We will help you to keep the stench of your current wardrobe at bay.
Today we have a double-shot from Steve House. Apologies for not posting Update 9 sooner. In it Steve share’s Marko’s assessment of the weather, and he describes the Sierra-style climb that was mentioned in the last update, including the surprise they found at the top of it. Listen to Steve House Update 9 (mp3) Then,…
Some members of our European offices in Annecy, France recently participated in a volunteer program aimed at reintroduction of the previously extinct Bearded Vulture to the Alps. Their hands-on contributions to these efforts got them up close and personal with these amazing birds. Birds and colleagues alike enjoyed a spectacular day in a remarkably beautiful…
Farming is an issue of great concern for us. We staked our business on switching to organic cotton in 1996 and we ran a series of environmental essays on the dangers and uncertainties of genetic engineering in 2001-2002. Unfortunately, GE crops are still being grown and organic farming remains a quaint alternative. Fortunately, there are…
Steve House took the time to make one last call amidst the hustle and bustle of packing up base camp and organizing 30 porters. It’s a little rough around the edges but the sentiment is appreciated. Listen to Steve House Update 11 (mp3) Thanks again to Steve for taking us along for the ride. Previous…
The first snows of the season are forecast for Tahoe! Of course it’s a bit early to think about skiing . . . eh, nevermind. No it’s not. For those of us with snow on the brain, this weekend’s forecast coincides beautifully with Karhu’s launch of their new blog, Where Will You Ski Today? Karhu’s…
I love to cook and as I’ve ventured into new cuisines found myself with a whole new spice rack sporting names like fenugreek, nigella and star anise. I also found myself wanting a spice grinder to go with all these wonderful recipes but couldn’t bring myself to spend the money. My coffee grinder worked just…
Many climbers are familiar with the convenient, high-quality granite available at California’s Donner Summit. Those who have made the trip are no doubt familiar with the sight of The Summit’s Rainbow Bridge, built in 1926. Many come simply for the view available from the bridge’s road-side vista pull out. Those who frequent Donner Summit for…
Steve House is home from Pakistan now, but before getting on his flight in Islamabad he made one last call to close out his trip and introduce us to a special guest. In this last update we get to hear from Mr. Saad Tariq Siddiqi, the Honorable Secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan. You’ll…
We received a note the other day in our e-mail box. Our kind correspondent had a simple request: more Field Reports, more stories of dirtbags doing their thing. So here's a little story from the archives. This one's for you, Kelly: Perhaps it was the ten-hour trip off-roading over the rutted steppe in a Russian…
Besides working on today’s episode, Dirtbag Diaries host Fitz Cahall just launched a redesigned version of his Web site, www.dirtbagdiaries.com. Stop by when you have a chance and don’t forget to tell your friends about this one-of-a-kind podcast. Now, without further adieu, Fitz Cahall: There’s no such thing as a perfect job. There’s always a…
Not too long ago we told you about this year's Dirtbag Grant winners, the second recipients of the award. But who were the first? Today we're happy to share the story of the first Dirtbag Grantees, Vermont residents Brian Mohr and Emily Johnson, and their trip to "Endangered Patagonia." Here's a recap from Brian and…
This summer my sister got hitched! We grew up in the wilds of Northern British Columbia and you couldn’t find a more spectacular backdrop for your big day. So friends and family made the trek to Smithers, BC for a weekend of festivities to celebrate my sister and my brother in law. Sure it was…
This was submitted by Todd Tanner, the author of the field report "Balance" that appears in our Fall 2007 Catalog. Here’s our problem. We walk around the edges. We bar the gates. We bulldog those inconvenient – yeah, that is the word, isn’t it; inconvenient – truths to the ground and brand them Trouble With…
In the spirit of our Common Threads Garment Recycling program, Sterling Rope Company is launching a climbing rope recycling program in partnership with Rock/Creek Outfitters, ClimbingGear.com, and the Triple Crown Bouldering Series. Old ropes will be sent to a recycling facility where they’ll be melted into nylon pellets and remade into common household items. Read…
In the last six months, I’ve been to two sushi bars on the east and west coasts, one in Brooklyn, New York, on Smith Street, and one in Santa Barbara, on State Street (you know who you are) that have bluefin tuna on the menu. Here is what Blue Ocean Institute, a highly respected organization,…
By Gerry Lopez Inspired by his good friend Don King – who is making a documentary about his son who has autism – Patagonia ambassador Gerry Lopez recently participated in the Surfers’ Environmental Alliance (SEA) Paddle NYC White Water fundraiser to raise money and awareness for autism. The event consisted of the first-ever 28-mile surf…
The outdoor bowl in beautiful Ojai, CA was the perfect setting on October 7 for Jackson Browne, The Household Gods, and many other friends to pledge their musical support for the Ojai Raptor Center. The sun shone, volunteers worked the crowd with a raptor on their arm, and the music flowed over the packed house.…
Editor’s note: Welcome to The Cleanest Lynn. Besides being one of the most accomplished climbers on the planet Lynn Hill is also one heck of a blogger. So we’ve handed over the keys to Lynn for a week’s worth of her insight. Enjoy. Many people ask me how I train for climbing. My first answer…
My last post addressed the mental aspect of endurance training. The following post will address the basics elements of the physical side of endurance training. Free climbing involves a combination of both power and endurance. Some people are better suited to one type of climbing or the other. I like all types of climbing but…
The other day while having coffee at Vics, the neighborhood café, a few people came up to me and said they liked the cover shot of Outside Magazine this month. This month’s gate-cover photo shows Lance Armstrong, Ben Harper, Amanda Beard, and Kelly Slater on the front page, and on the foldout page you see…
The Petzl RocTrip event in the Red River Gorge this past weekend was certainly “eventful”. This year Petzl joined forces with the RRGCC (Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition) annual fundraiser called, Roctober Fest to help raise money to buy a large section of cliffs in the Red River Gorge area. With contributions from Petzl, generous…
Over the last several years, many forms of yoga and eastern practices have been adopted into our culture. There is much more awareness about the benefits of meditation, maintaining good posture, and conscious breathing in our practice. Breathing is one of the few bodily functions that can be controlled both consciously and unconsciously. Conscious attention…
Overuse injuries in climbing are prevalent these days, especially for ambitious newcomers and people who simply have a hard time listening to their bodies. I know that most athletes are aware of the basic principles of preventative medicine but sometimes we tend to disregard them at the most crucial times. The following post is mostly…
I’ve found that the process of setting goals and the accompanying list of tasks “to do” in order to accomplish the goal, is essential in reinforcing my intents and purposes. Virtually every motivation guidebook includes at least one chapter about the proper organization of one’s tasks and goals. It is usually suggested that it is…
I was recently asked a series of questions on the topic of motivation. There are many ways to interpret the word, but by any definition, I don’t think I lack it. What I lack most of all is time. I often have obligations that get in the way of being able to get out to…
Epic. That’s all I need to say about this episode of The Dirtbag Diaries. Fitz Cahall will tell you the rest: Forests, rivers, oceans and mountains – to some of us they’re like old friends, but how far would you go to save them? In this era when our wild places exist in a precarious…
Tom Brokaw recently interviewed Patagonia owner Yvon Chouinard at Google’s Zeitgeist 2007 conference. The theme: Leading a Non-Virtual LifeTom Brokaw and Yvon Chouinard talk about being intentionally"un-networked" and leading a deliberately disconnected life. Both discuss why living off the grid is critical for a well-roundedexistence.
This story comes from Shawn Kelly, a friend of Patagonia who works for the California Coastal Conservancy’s Wetlands Recovery Project. He is a husband, father of two boys and an avid fly-fisherman. The Escape The van climbs through the warm night, away from the sun-baked, Central Valley leaving behind the traffic, the strip malls, and…
Recent Patagonia employee Matt Hunt remembers a friend we lost on this weekend four years ago: “Peace and Go Wild” That is how Linnea always used to sign off her letters. Linnea Erickson started at the Reno Service Center in October of 2003, helping out with the holiday rush. Her first weekend in the area, she set…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we’ll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn’t mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
You may have already taken a peek at our Footprint Chronicles. We launched it a couple of weeks ago and put an announcement up here on TCL. The Footprint Chronicles is a window of sorts. We’re hoping that through it, our customers can see how we’re analyzing our environmental and social impacts and what we’re…
Beset with questions by those intrepid customers willing to navigate the murky waters of on-line clothes shopping, our fearless colleague delves into the sometimes-frivolous and often-fickle forum of Fit. Keep an eye out for future Fit Posts. Have something in particular you want fit details on? Leave a comment or send us an e-mail: customer_service@patagonia.com.…
We recently received a request to post a list of Y.C.’s favorite books on The Cleanest Line. We’ll do our best to make that happen, but in the meantime there is one book Patagonia has been recommending since the launch of our Common Threads Garment Recycling program. The book is Plan B 2.0: Rescuing a…
[Ed note: This is the first of a three-part post from former Patagonia employee Matt Hunt. Matt was kind enough to share the details of his conversion of a Toyota Land Cruiser using Patagonia’s alternative transportation incentive plan. Read on for an inside look at one man’s eco-fueled automotive quest.] The Parking-Lot Culture Working for…
The fall begins to bring grey weather, and we endorphin junkies and fresh-air addicts begin to get itchy. Trapped indoors as the rock gets desperately cold on the finger tips, the sun begins to hibernate, and there is not enough snow to strap toys to our feet. So we start pulling on plastic or hanging…
0ur Footprint Chronicles were intended to ignite conversation every bit as much as corporate introspection. And the comments are starting to roll in. Below, you’ll find some intriguing thoughts from among the very first responses we received to the Footprint Chronicles. In the interest of helping to zero-in our own focus on big issues, we’ve…
I just arrived home from a brief but pleasant trip to Yosemite Valley, where I was invited to give a presentation at the AMGA (American Mountain Guides Association) annual meeting. The fall colors were splendid and the climbing temperatures ideal. It was a coming home of sorts, I met up with my old friends, Mari…
0ur Footprint Chronicles were intended to ignite conversation every bit as much as corporate introspection. And the comments are starting to roll in. Below, you’ll find some intriguing thoughts from among the very first responses we received to the Footprint Chronicles. In the interest of helping to zero-in our own focus on big issues, we’ve…
Back in January, Patagonia paid me to go to Chile for two weeks to volunteer with ForestEthics, a North American-based environmental group working to preserve and protect native forest. My name is Jim Little. I’m an editor here at Patagonia, and one of 21 employees last year who took advantage of one of the coolest…
0ur Footprint Chronicles were intended to ignite conversation every bit as much as corporate introspection. And the comments are starting to roll in. Below, you’ll find some intriguing thoughts from among the very first responses we received to the Footprint Chronicles. In the interest of helping to zero-in our own focus on big issues, we’ve…
In case you’ve been missing it, Democrat-sponsored Clean Energy legislation is up for a vote soon. Late Thursday night, word came down that Congressional leaders are considering dropping the mandates for clean energy alternatives. It’s a matter of days before the votes are cast, so time is running out to let your Senators and Representatives…
Rare to see YC holding a fish out of water for even a second but this 26 pound Zolotaya River chromer required closer inspection. This Russian beauty had been caught on the nearby Rynda two summers ago and blue-tagged to identify it as a product of Rynda waters — proof of salmo salar’s wandering capabilities,…
If you receive Patagonia email alerts – or as I like to call them "e-nugs" (sign-up today, you won’t regret it) – your Inbox is more than likely housing our latest email encouraging action on behalf of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Back in September, the Alaska Wilderness League’s Executive Director, Cindy Shogan, and writer/photographer,…
What is "fitness," exactly? Trainers, elite athletes, and the polished exercise-club crowd have one idea. It involves things like resting heart rate, VO2 Max, reps-per-minute, lactate thresholds . . . lots of numbers. The “fitness” they’re talking about can be measured, quantified, and presumably, understood once the right numbers have been crunched. But wait a…
Patagonia catalog subscribers should be seeing the Holiday 2007 issue in their mailboxes now. Entitled "Conservacion Patagonica," the catalog showcases both gift ideas from our winter clothing line and the story surrounding the creation of Patagonia National Park in Chile. Founded by former Patagonia, Inc. CEO, Kristine Tompkins, Conservacion Patagonica is a non-profit organization dedicated…
I reckon there’s no better way to start off a holiday week than with a fresh episode of The Dirtbag Diaries podcast with Fitz Cahall. From Fitz: Every aspiring photographer dreams of capturing an iconic image. It’s the same kind of motivation that draws young skiers to intimidating lines in foreboding ranges and pulls ambitious…
After my Long Trail thru-hike, I made a commitment to get involved with the GreenMountain Club (a non-profit organization that works to protect and maintain trails in Vermont) and give back to the Long Trail. Fulfilling this promise, I become a “summit steward” and “ridge runner” in the fall of 2003. One of my assignments…
Continuing with our impromptu theme of employees traversing long distances on foot, today’s post comes from Chuck Journey one of Patagonia’s I.T. wizards in Ventura: Brian looks at me: "You better be ready." He isn’t joking. We are at the Shortcut Saddle Aid Station, mile 59 of the annual Angeles Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run,…
The weather in Boulder this fall has been exceptionally warm. I have been enjoying the warm weather to engage in activities such as a small video shoot on a boulder problem in Eldorado Canyon. Normally I don’t allow myself to get sucked into other people’s idea of what they want me to climb for their…
The Pleasant Revolution pedaled through Patagonia Ventura’s campus on Tuesday and shared their music and good cheer with the employees during lunch. Comprised of Xtracycle co-founder Kipchoge Spencer, his band the Ginger Ninjas, fellow bike musicians SHAKE YOUR PEACE! and an eight-person support crew, the Pleasant Revolution are riding their Xtracycles over 5,000 miles from…
Welcome to part II of this post. If you haven’t already done so, you might check out the first Dirtbag Fitness post for a bit of context. Those of you who read Part I will know part II is about a week late. All I can say is, well, it’s a post about dirtbags. What…
W’s Tosh Crew Neck Sweater. W’s Wailer Skirt. W’s Trench Town Hoody Jacket/Pants. Do the names of those products prompt anything to come to mind for you? As a long time fan of reggae music and particularly, the collective and individual members of The Wailers, I was surprised and, initially, disturbed that Patagonia would reference…
The surf’s up in Ventura today and even though surface conditions were not perfect this morning, there’s definitely a buzz around the office. If you paddle out today, consider taking part in the following survey after your session. Thanks to Patagoniac Chad Nelsen for this submission: Researchers at UCLA are studying 22 surf spots in…
Amidst the hell of war, Fitz Cahall has discovered a story that will warm your heart: There was nothing exceptional about how Ryan Utz and Micah Helser became friends. After nodding at each other in the office hallways for weeks, they happened to discover that they shared an interest in sustainable building. They got to…
Yannick Clévy of our IT dept. at Patagonia Europe’s offices in Annecy, France just wrote in with this report about the early season conditions they’re seeing across the Atlantic. Regular readers might remember Yannick as the French-speaking, cliff-dropping, steeps schralping author of the earlier "dawn patrol" post Climbing Foot with Backbag. If you’re planning a…
Thanksgiving weekend was not a holiday my Canadian family would miss me for. So having grown up skiing in the hills of Northern British Columbia, and currently living in Southern California it was time to find snow! A friend of mine and I planned on Utah – I was told the snow there was like…
For those who haven’t been paying attention to the ongoing climatetalks on the island of Bali, Indonesia, representatives from the US,Japan and a few other countries have been dragging theirfeet again in negotiations on a sucessor to the Kyoto Protocol when itexpires in 2012. Right now they’re refusing to sign an agreement calling forindustrialized nations…
We are deeply saddened to report that our good friend and longtime Patagonia colleague Kenny Harbaugh passed away last week while backcountry touring in British Columbia. Ken was on an inspiration trip with some of our ski ambassadors and members of the snow sports design/development team. It’s impossible to capture all Kenny meant to us.…
Happy holidays to you and yours from Patagonia Ventura (pictured), Reno, Japan, Europe and all of our Retail Stores. Thank you to all of our customers, partners, friends and families for your honest feedback, passionate activism and continued support. We’ll see you 2008. [The tribe in Ventura gathered in front of the original Chouinard Equipment…
Happy New Year everybody … it’s good to be back. Our Tuesday hangovers are a distant memory and the first weekend of 2008 is shaping up nicely with a significant snow forecast in the Sierra. On the Patagonia front, we’re excited to announce our new environmental initiative, Freedom to Roam. The goal of Freedom to…
Back before the holiday got into full swing, we told you about an onlineauction for One Percent for the Planet (1% FTP). The original story is posted here. We’re pleased to offer this update on the results. Some true gems were available in their first-ever online auction, including a Jack-Johnson-signed guitar (below) beautiful artwork (like…
The news reports are right, we finally got a good ol’ fashion Sierra-style pounding this past weekend. Local resorts reported storm totals of 3 – 6 feet, depending on elevation and orientation to the storm track. Here at the Reno Distribution Center we saw some impressive winds, and snowfall rates in excess of 3 inches…
When Dan Malloy came back from Liberia surfers around the office were asking him how the trip was, anxiously hoping to hear about perfect waves. Dan, humble as ever, spoke well of the trip and the waves but you could hear in his voice and see in his eyes that it wasn’t a typical surf…
This in from Greg Helms at Ocean Conservancy:"On Dec 6th, California officials announces that the mainland coast of southern California – from Pt. Conception offshore Lompoc to the Mexican boarder – is next in the statewide process of establishing coastal marine protected areas (MPAs) under the California Marine Life Protection Act. Much like the historic…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we’ll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn’t mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
We ran a post a little while back featuring a video clip of one of our U.S. representatives ripping apart the then-pending energy bill (Keeping Alternative Transp. on the Radar). His comments took aim at the line of the bill that sought to set aside $1 million annually to support bicycle transportation through construction of…
Update: A memorial paddle-out will take place on February 3 at 8am in front of Zuma Beach Lifeguard Tower 9. All are welcome. Please continue reading for details. It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of another passing in the Patagonia family. Brian Fritz, a long-time Patagonia employee and manager of our…
Every time I exit the 101 south onto the Pacific Coast Highway north of Ventura, I think about the surf spot Stanley’s and how it was destroyed in order to build the freeway offramp. I never got the chance to surf Stanley’s. It was paved over before my time. Thankfully, groups like the Surfrider Foundation…
With the New Year comes a new episode of The Dirtbag Diaries and Fitz Cahall is throwing down the gauntlet. How big will you go this year? Sir Edmund Hillary often insisted that while his feats and goals were of historic proportions, he was just a simple man, more comfortable in cover-alls than the high-attire…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadorsare responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through thepaces before we’ll add a new product to our lineup. But just becausesomething reaches our shelves doesn’t mean testing is over. Once a newitem shows up in our catalogs, our Customer Service staff…
Ah, spring is in the air . . . images of butterflies, sunshine-soaked afternoons, lambs, and flip-flops dance in the head; perhaps lambs in flip-flops for some. What better time to check out the new swimsuits, boardies, and summer gear at www.patagonia.com? But wait…it’s still cold in a lot of places, including right here at…
I think that Christmas changes lots over time. From the days as a little kid, opening each door of an advent calendar, and leaving chocolate chip cookies (which my mom definitely ate!!) and carrots for Santa and his reindeer to keep him going to each good little boy’s and girl’s house delivering treats, writing Christmas…
The New York Times has been running a series of detailed articles about the changing demands being placed on public lands throughout the American West. No matter how far you are from these wide-open spaces, if you pay taxes, this land truly is YOUR land. Active participation in the issues surrounding the use of these…
Sara Benjamin is the Project Director for “Once Upon a Wetland” – a watershed education and wetland restoration project of Oak Grove School in Ojai, California. In partnership with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Meiners Oaks Elementary School and Nordoff High School, the project engages students and the community in restoring the Ojai Meadows Preserve…
On November 10, 2007, Devon Howard and the Patagonia Cardiff staff hosted a very special event at the shop. Here’s Devon to tell you more: Storytelling in any form has always fascinated me. Whether penning a tale, shooting photos, helping make a surf film or just leafing through a good read, I always become completely…
At Patagonia, we use Martin Luther King Day as a time to give back to our community – this year was no different. In addition to sending crews of employees to work on local projects with the Ojai Raptor Center and the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, we also welcomed a remarkable young woman as our…
They say it’s bad to surf after a rain. I disagree. I have empirical evidence that shows they are wrong. I don’t get sick. Never have. And I used to live in Venice Beach. They never reported the water quality at my local break better than a D+. I saw it as a challenge. It…
Last November I was lucky enough to get a spot—the last spot—on Clif Bar’s cycling team. It’s awesome to be among a squad of strong riders and have sponsorship from a company with social interests compatible to Patagonia’s. Plus, Clif makes the yummiest energy food around! Last weekend we went to our team training camp…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we’ll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn’t mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
Coming back to work after a long weekend can be tough. Thankfully, Fitz Cahall is here to rescue us with a new episode of The Dirtbag Diaries: In the summer of 2007, kayaker and blogger Shane Robinson found himself paddling down Peru’s isolated Apurimac River, one of the Amazon’s five major tributaries. Ahead of him…
What goes around, comes around. We had it pretty good with the snow here in the Sierra for the month of January. We were feeling our oats and, well, I guess I did a little bragging about it. I sent teasing pictures and links to blog posts to despondent friends who were bemoaning their lack…
Be sure and check out Part 1 if you missed it and keep an eye on the men’s and women’s surf pages at Patagonia.com,or here at The Cleanest Line, for Part 3 coming soon. Also, stay tuned for details on Gerry’s newbook Surf is Where You Find It. If you like surfing and an intimate…
The all-things green blog TreeHugger recently conducted a two-part phone interview with Patagonia owner/founder Yvon Chouinard. Topics include growing the company, Patgonia 100 years from now, transparency and the Footprint Chronicles, the myth of sustainability, our "Pata-gucci" reputation, politics, and quality vs. quantity. As usual, Y.C. doesn’t pull any punches. Head on over to TreeHugger…
"The odds on very difficult alpine climbs are not in your favor. So there's no excuse to show up unprepared, to show up out of shape." Climber, writer and Patagonia product tester Kelly Cordes takes us through his training strategy for alpine climbing and reflects on disaster style alpinism. If you enjoyed this video, consider…
After a very successful inaugural launch last year Patagonia got involved again with the University of California Santa Barbara READS program. UCSB students and Patagonia employees were given The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy by Pietra Rivoli to learn more about globalization. Patagonia was asked to get even further involved and have…
India was a place I always told myself I wanted to go, but year after year it got pushed around, forced to the back burner by the priorities of life. When my girlfriend came to me and said, I want to study Yoga in Mysore I knew this was our chance. Within days we walked…
The Talkin’ Pipe series continues with Gerry & Jock reminiscing about the ’70s. They discuss a few of the breaks that prepared them for Pipeline, the board designs from that era and some of the masters who rode them so well. If you’re new to the series, take a gander at Part 1 and Part…
This story was sent to us by Ari Lurie from Tahiti. He is an avid outrigger paddler and surfer. ‘Haole go home.’ This glaring message was scrawled across a building in the center of town. I was visiting the port of Fare on the beautiful French Polynesian island of Huahine. I smiled at its bluntness…
The weather was so beautiful the other day that I decided to visit one of my favorite local traverses up on Flagstaff (Boulder, CO) called the Monkey Traverse. On this long, overhanging band of rock, I choreographed my own variation that I call Lynnie’s Low Down since it eliminates all the good holds on the…
Fitz Cahall hands over the reins of The Dirtbag Diaries this week to his wife Becca: The Weather Channel’s Local on the 8’s. NOAA. Surf cams. We’ve all been there – staring at the places we would like to be through a computer or television screen. We shut our eyes at our desks and try…
This just in from The Cleanest Line email bag: the back of our work truck!keeping us warm out in the elements! many thanks, we fly the patagonia flag with pride:) smiles for miles from the u.k. richard esq www.friend-of-mine.co.uk & shoot-the-moonshine.blogspot.com/ Always good to hear from Patagoniacs across the pond. If you have a few…
More exciting than Red Dawn, and cooler than camping with Charlie Sheen, C. Thomas Howell, and Patrick Swayze, our friends at the University of California's Sagehen Research Field Station have just reported some pretty outstanding news. Imagine you're protecting a piece of land. Imagine people are studying the plants and animals on that land. They're…
Boys’n Berries, the time is here once again. It’s March 14th. Some might recognize this as the birthday of Albert Einstein. But there’s another figure who looms large on America’s ideological horizon; one whose personal genius, like Einstein’s, exploded in the deserts of the American Southwest. Edward Abbey wandered out into the deserts of southern…
Jeanne Young and I just returned from a rock climbing trip near Bariloche, Argentina. Beautiful alpine rock climbing. It’s a five-hour hike into a lake basin where there is free camping and a hut. We ate dinner (and drank red wine) at the hut each night, camped out on the opposite side of the lake,…
The Talkin’ Pipe video series continues with Gerry and Jock reminiscing about the Expression Session of 1970. Definitely some classic stories in here. Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 are available for those new to the series, and there’s more to come. Thanks again to Devon Howard and the crew at Patagonia’s Cardiff Surf…
Our friend Kelly Cordes, who tests gear and writes copy for us, went climbing in the Charakusa Valley of Pakistan last summer and sent us some photos to share. Though Kelly and his climbing partner, Scott DeCapio, were unsuccessful on their attempt at a new line on K7, they returned with some spectacular images —…
And while we’re on the subject, this Awareness Test video has been forwarded to me numerous times in the last few weeks. I’m glad to know it’s making the rounds. Update: TwoSevensClash just alerted me to a site he recently added to our Del.icio.us links (they’re just to your left under Recent Comments, check for…
Thank you all for your insight on the Fit of our F07 line. As the dust settles from the Fall 07 Sale, we’re getting started with Spring 2008 offering (you can see the new S08 offering at Patagonia.com). Indeed, it’s an exciting time; this is when we get to see the fruits of the previous…
Access to biodiesel for consumers in the Ventura area is best described as dismal. Few options exist other than driving to Santa Barbara or Los Angeles to get biodiesel at the pump. Otherwise, you must rely on having drums of fuel delivered to your residence, which is costly and only possible if you have an…
Something interesting has happened around here. Our crew of reluctantly employed fun junkies has remained largely unchanged since Patagonia first set up shop here in Reno in 1996. Sure, the workplace has changed a little bit (no more camping in the parking lot, to mention one thing), but the people have been more or less…
Today we present a special weekend edition of The Dirtbag Diaries with Fitz Cahall. You might recognize the Tom Broxson from a previous episode. In spring of 1991, Tom Broxson survived a 200-foot fall – a full rope length – off the top of Yosemite Valley’s Washington Column. To this day, Tom, his climbing partner…
by Gerry Lopez Surf heroes become recognized for accomplishments that set them apart. Kelly Slater and Andy Irons battled fiercely for world championship titles among a field of surfers of extraordinary ability. Laird Hamilton rode bigger and more dangerous waves than anyone had before, which paved the way for others to make their own big…
by Gerry Lopez Since it’s gone, I guess there’s no reason to keep the secret any longer. What we had was a pretty neat surf spot almost 200 miles from the ocean. For the last three years, it’s been double top secret. Even so, like everything else in the surfing world, the word got out.…
by Gerry Lopez Jock Sutherland was my first and foremost hero at the Pipeline. It somehow seemed destined that my first time out on a small empty day as a sophomore in high school, Jock would paddle out and give me a key tip on how to surf the difficult place. It would be the…
by Gerry Lopez The telephone rang on a lazy day, there wasn’t any surf so I was just relaxing on the couch doing nothing. “Gerry, this is Randall Kleiser calling, I met you once with John Milius, and he suggested I call you. I’m making a movie about surfing, and I’d like you to be…
by Gerry Lopez I have been asked many times what it’s like being inside a tube. My short answer is simple, “it’s great.” The long answer is quite a bit more involved. To get inside a tube long enough to have time to think about what it’s like requires a long list of factors. Luck…
by Gerry Lopez Except for his rather large collection of blues records, there were not, in a material sense, a lot of other things Buddy Dumphy considered important or worthy of much thought. Even his surfboards were considered transient – tools to be used and sometimes abused – only stepping-stones to the next board. We…
by Gerry Lopez Yesterday I scored big. It was one of those rare days which left me so pumped up when it was over I knew I was going to have trouble falling asleep last night. [Editor's note: This story was originally written in November 2007] I figured I better write it down before the…
Not long ago we brought you a dispatch from India by Patagonia rock climbing ambassador Sonnie Trotter. After three months on the road and a bout with Malaria, Sonnie is now home and ready to share a taste of his time in India. The Alpine Club of Canada and Five Ten have arranged a short…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we’ll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn’t mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
Right on the heels of our time with Surf Is Where You Find It author Gerry Lopez, we have more good book news to share with you this week. Majka Burhardt, a writer, climber, mountain guide and Patagonia ambassador, just had her first book published in February. Vertical Ethiopia: Climbing Towards Possibility in the Horn…
For those skeptical business types who wonder why we need toconserve wildlife habitat and diversity, you might be interested in the article Biomimetics: Design by Nature in this month’s National Geographic. It’s about how species living in the natural world around us are increasingly inspiring modern product inventions and innovations. [Could mimicking the lotus leaf…
Fitz Cahall surprised us this morning with a new feature on The Dirtbag Diaries called "The Shorts." In between full-length episodes of the podcast, the Dirtbag Diaries will now be featuring short stories from listeners like you. If you have a short story to share, email The Dirtbag Diaries. In the meantime, here’s Fitz: Great…
The Talkin’ Pipe video series concludes with Gerry and Jock riffing on Kelly Slater and Backdoor. If you’re new to the series, visit the Talkin’ Pipe page at Patagonia.com to watch parts 1 – 5. And while you’re there, consider picking up a copy of Gerry’s new book Surf Is Where You Find It. Sadly,…
It’s never too soon to learn the tradition of story telling. Today we bring you the words of Santa Barbara super-grom, and FCD Surfboards team rider, 13-year-old Lakey Peterson. Right now I’m traveling through Australia, surfing with my mom and dad. We started in Noosa, where there was a worldwide surf festival going on. It…
At the tail end of winter, a trio of friends — Chipper Bro, DK and Free — spent a pleasant morning playing disc golf at Lake Casitas, near Ojai, California. The dirtbag equivalent to ball golf, disc golf (also called Frisbee® golf) is typically free of charge and played in less manicured environments like parks,…
Happy Earth Day everyone! For us there’s no better way to blog on this day than by highlighting a group of passionate activists making a difference in their neck of the woods, or in this case, their stretch of the river. A while back, Patagonia employee Charlotte Overby spent her enviro internship with Missouri River…
Because the best down comes from mature geese and because the Eastern Europeans prefer older and larger geese, the best down tends to come from Eastern Europe. The down is harvested and then separated into different grades depending on the quality of down. Hit the jump for more details . . . Down is graded…
In March I went up to the Canadian Rockies, one of my favorite mountain ranges, and spent a few weeks doing some winter climbing. What was most exciting about this season was that there was so much climbing activity. Lots of locals doing lots of cool new routes and new variations. But what was missing…
Fitz Cahall taps SNEWS Live podcaster James Mills on the shoulder for today’s episode of The Dirtbag Diaries, which features Patagonia ambassador Timmy O’Neill and his brother Sean. From Fitz: What defines you? Is it your past? How you look? I doubt it. It’s the course we chart from dawn to dusk that makes us…
Feedback" links available within The Footprint Chronicles. If you’ve yet to see it, The Footprint Chronicles is one example of our commitment to Leading an Examined Life. It’s an interactive mini-site that allows you to track the impact of several Patagonia products from design through delivery.* We launched The Footprint Chronicles with five products from…
Even if you’re not an angler, I highly recommend taking the time to read this story. It comes from Mikey Wier, a professional snowboarder and fly fishing guide who founded Burl Productions. Mikey’s words are thick with the aura of appreciation that comes from having just returned from a Wilderness area. As you read this…
It's with a heavy heart that we discovered something about ourselves this morning. The realization was a simple one: we're a bunch of lawbreaking crooks. Activist supporters? Sure. Guilty as charged. But criminals? We have no doubt supported a number of activists whose direct-action approach has landed them in jail (think Buffalo Field Campaign ). And…
Yannick and his ski cronies from Patagonia Europe are stormin’ the steeps again. While denizens of our beach hut (Patagonia Ventura) have got spring surf on the brain, and the tribe at the desert mountain outpost (Patagonia Reno) are stymied by the all-to-quick disappearance of the snowpack, our friends at Patagonia Europe are proving that…
DJ Dukesherer’s path to becoming an author was less direct than the one that led him to surfing. Paddling the deep blue waters off the coast of Playa Del Rey with his father were a defining element of his childhood. Mr. Dukesherer’s ocean roots sunk deep into the sands of Playa Del Rey. Through his…
Recently there has been a lot of talk in the surf world about “green” wetsuits (1, 2, 3, 4). Most of the claims revolve around the use of neoprene made from limestone rather than petroleum. I asked Todd Copeland, who works on Patagonia’s Fabric Development team, to shed some light on these claims. Many of…
Product Feedback. Boy do we get a lot of it . . . From fit to function to fashion, from price to purpose to product names, customer feedback is one thing we’ve grown to rely on. We believe our customers are more passionate and outspoken than the norm. And while that means there’s some folks…
A big CONGRATULATIONS goes out to Patagonia Ambassador Zoe Hart who just passed her Ski Mountaineering Guide’s exam to earn her IFMGA mountain guide credential! This makes Zoe the fourth American woman to earn her IFMGA, or International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations, status. This is the highest level of credential available by a professional…
This post was submitted by Patagonia grantee Monty Bassett from the Sage Foundation. January 17th, 2005, in a remote village in the middle of a vast British Columbia wilderness, Roy Quock, an 84-year-old elder of the Tahltan tribe, discovered that his band chief had been touring the world, at the invitation of the World Bank…
If you’ve ever been far away from loved ones when disaster hits, you know how Kristine Tompkins (Patagonia co-founder and former CEO) and her husband, Doug, feel right now. They are in Argentina, while miles away, one of the Chilean national parks they founded, Pumalin Park, is threatened by the ash and toxic gases spewing…
Once again it’s time to leave the car in the garage and clean up your commute. It’s Bike to Work Week and we’ll start it off with a new episode of the Dirtbag Diaries. Fitz Cahall, host of the podcast, has this to say about episode 19: Life was good. The approaches were short. The…
Rick Ridgeway tipped us to the following article from the Earth Policy Institute. It’s part of their Eco-Economy Indicators research — twelve trends that the Institute tracks to measure progress towards building an eco-economy. Bicycles Pedaling Into the Spotlight J. Matthew Roney The world produced an estimated 130 million bicycles in 2007—more than twice the…
Bike to Work Week seems like the perfect time to have another look at how some people feel about the spirit of Bike to Work Week. This video was posted here earlier, under “Keeping Alternative Transportation on the Radar.” This was back in the good-ol’ days when oil was hovering around $100 a barrel. Regardless…
Earlier in the week we mentioned that the Westport store was leading the 2nd Annual Patagonia Retail Bike to Work Challenge. Nate Paulson, manager of Patagonia Westport, sent along this update: Patagonia Westport is attacking Bike to Work Week like the last hill on a mountain leg of the Tour de France. Yesterday, 9 staff…
Mid-way through the work week and the participant numbers keep climbing. While Free’s rear-hub casualty has taken some of the spark out of our Pat HQ vs. Distribution Center rivalry, the Retail Bike Challenge remains hotly contested. While you find the store’s individual rider numbers below, consult the graph for a sense of the real…
One of the perks Patagonia riders were given this week was the opportunity to get a free bike tune-up on Tuesday to make the crank turning even more joyous. The grease-monkeys in the company generously donated their lunchtime hour to help the rest of us who don’t have the skills or the tools to properly…
Ray King, the manager of Patagonia Santa Cruz, sent the following dispatch from Gerry Lopez’s book tour: Not since 1969 had the Aloha visited Santa Cruz California. True, there are bits and pieces of it floating around, but true and pure Aloha has been vastly missing. It was May 3rd, 2008 on a clear blue…
Fitz Cahall eases us back into the work week with another “short” episode of The Dirtbag Diaries: In the Year of Big Ideas, my childhood friend Brad laid it out – he was going to climb El Cap in 2008. Never mind that he had minimal climbing experience or had never even been to Yosemite.…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we’ll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn’t mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
We found this e-mail from one of our European climbing ambassadors, Matt Helliker, in our inbox recently. Matt writes: Sorry for the group email, but I’m not long off the mountain and just wanted to give some info, on the Alaska trip. Myself along with Jon Bracey have climbed a new route on the East…
We all play in our local environments, but how many of us take the time to help care for them? Patagonia surf ambassador Crystal Thornburg shares this story about how she and some of the crew from Patagonia Hale’iwa have been volunteering to help restore a portion of the Waimea Valley. [Hale’iwa store manager Paul…
One of the common challenges for grassroots environmental groups around the globe is raising awareness about their issue(s). Patagonia grantee, Sea Turtle Restoration Project, and its partners, have come up with very clever and entertaining way of raising awareness for critically endangered leatherback sea turtles: The Great Turtle Race. Now in its second year, Great…
We were walking around SoHo in New York during Bike to Work week and happened to pass by the Patagonia store. In the window, was the most beautiful bike I’ve ever seen. We went in, and it turns out the bike was handmade by Ezra Caldwell, a local guy, who happens to be Hillary Nanney’s…
The Patagoonies in Palo Alto are getting revved up for an extra-special event this weekend. We are proud to announce that directors, Stanford University students, and friends of Patagonia, Nicholai Lidow and Britt Caillouette, will be introducing the surf documentary Sliding Liberia at 7 pm on Saturday, June 7, in our shop on Alma Street.…
Mountain of Storms was released in 1968. It is a film about 5 friends who pile into an old van somewhere in California and surf, ski, and climb their way south toward the then still-mythical land of Patagonia, where they put up the first ascent of Cerro Fitz Roy’s Southwest Buttress, the so-called “California Route.”…
More from our friend Ari in the South Pacific. After three hours in the heavy Polynesian sun I knew it was time to start heading home. I was on an outer reef named Motu Piti Aau two miles east of Bora Bora. I had walked several miles down the beach exploring the coast, and now…
We received some stellar news from Patagonia ambassador Sonnie Trotter this morning: Well, I don’t have much time right now, but I just wanted to say thanks to all ya’ll over there in Ventura, working hard to spread the Patagonia name, product and love. Yesterday I sent the original Rhapsody, the world’s first E11 (5.14b/c…
As the Great Turtle Race winds down (the winner has already crossed the finish line), Todd Steiner,Executive Director of Sea Turtle Restoration Project andTurtle Island Restoration Network, sends this story as a follow-up to the post we ran last week: [White-tip sharks hug the reef. All photos courtesy of Todd Steiner.] In November 2007, I…
I love this video of YC. It shows him in his element — fly fishing and rock climbing at a secret spot in Argentina — and contains words of wisdom like, “[Fly fishing] is not about catching fish, it’s all about adapting yourself to where you’re worthy of catching a fish … it’s about the…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we’ll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn’t mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
We made a short video to illustrate the importance of voting for the environment. Please help spread the word by embedding it into your blog or Web site. [Video: Emilie Lee. Music: September Sessions Band, "What Would You Rather Do" © 2008 Vote the Environment] Don’t forget to celebrate International Surfing Day today — get…
After a scorching weekend in Southern California, we start off the work week with an epic episode of The Dirtbag Diaries. Series creator Fitz Cahall introduces Episode 20: True or False? Standard pushing is for the pros. If you want to shape skiing or climbing, you have to ditch the job, move into the car…
Vote the Environment is on the road with Jack Johnson and his All at Once Tour. Two Patagonia employees have been chosen to man the booth and talk to concert goers about the importance of registering to vote, getting informed and voting the environment on November 4th. [Folks can share which environmental issues are important…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we’ll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn’t mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
Sometimes you don’t have to travel to Pakistan for a meaningful alpine experience. Our good friend and product tester, Kelly Cordes, who’s also the senior editor of The American Alpine Journal, has been on “The Chase” in his own backyard looking for ephemeral melt/freeze lines. Says Kelly, “It’s staggering to think about how many hours…
Our Footprint Chronicles have generated a wide range of feedback. We’ve received a whole raft of incisive questions that have sent us scurrying off to do more homework. We’ve received some praise, most recently in the form of the "People’s Voice" award in the 2008 Webbys. And we’ve received some criticism. We’re grateful for all…
Our friend Meghan Sural is the Assistant Manager of our outlet store here in Reno, NV. She’s also a devoted wilderness steward. Though her roots lie in Appalachian soil, her heart roams free on the open deserts of Nevada’s vast wild (and unprotected) places. She kindly shares some soulful words with us here about her…
With Canada Day already happening on Tuesday (cheers Sonnie!) and Independence Day in full swing today, it’s a great time to relax, share some tasty beverages with family and friends, maybe even play a few games of ping pong. Have a great holiday weekend everybody and thanks for visiting The Cleanest Line. Update: Fixed incorrect…
I’m really diggin’ these short, listener-voiced episodes of The Dirtbag Diaries. All of you school teachers out there, especially those who surf (aloha Roger!), will definitely relate to this episode. Fitz Cahall sets the stage: A mythical, semi-secret, surf spot on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast – that’s as descriptive Australian Duncan McNee would get. This secret…
Writer, photographer and Patagonia ambassador, Jonny Copp — Jonny is also the founder of the Boulder Adventure Film Festival and Dirt Days — sent us this story about his recent travels through Europe with Micah Dash. Had the Tibetans not rioted, Micah Dash and I would have been caught in the epicenter of an earthquake…
In 1974 a friend and I celebrated our high school graduation by hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. Of course we weren’t suspect of our gear at the time, but looking back I can’t believe how much of it was really ill-suited for the job. Near the top of that list was…
Scott Parry climbing “Steppin Out” 5.10d, Yosemite Valley. Photo: Jeff Johnson Phew … I’m back! Finally. Got back a couple months ago after being out of the country for half a year. Long story, too long. I’ll get to that later. You know how it is when you come back from traveling; an estrangement occurs.…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we’ll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn’t mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
Down with The Mad Brown! Exciting news from Patagonia Europe Rock Climbing ambassador Nicolas Favresse*. Nicolas and partner Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll spent the month of May in Wales, and while there, completed the first on sight ascent of “The Mad Brown” (E7 6b [5.12- X], 4 pitches). In Nicolas’ words: I just wanted to share…
Two Patagonia employees from our Upper West Side store, Eric Taber and Emily Triantaphyllis, are involved in the creation of a new independent film called What’s Organic About Organic? The film — a character-based mosaic that delves into the debates that arise when a grassroots agricultural movement evolves into a booming international market — has…
Zack Smith is a ninja, a master of all climbing styles, a bona fide climbing badass, and if you haven’t heard about him, it’s likely because he prefers it that way. From Patagonia, to Pakistan, to every crag within a six-hour drive of his Moab residence, Zack’s been stealthily pushing rock and alpine climbing standards…
Our board shorts line has a new addition with a long history. The Patagonia Organic Cotton Canvas Boardshorts, or Palaka shorts as they were originally known, come with a special heritage in not only the surf world but old Hawaii as well. When I started surfing in the late 1950s, Palaka shorts were one of…
Time and time again we see that when we reduce environmental harm, we end up producing better-performing, higher-quality Patagonia garments. And sales of those improved garments often enhance our business health and profitability. Our environmental initiatives are constraining by nature, but benefit us by sparking innovation during all stages of development.These constraints force us to…
Fellow surfer and writer, 10-year-old Wil Reid, wrote to us about Eddie Aikau –a surfer whose skill and integrity won Wil’s respect. We agreed and thought Wil’s story about Eddie belonged on The Cleanest Line. We look forward to hearing more from Wil as he pursues his dream to educate others about the power and importance of the…
Micah Wolf is a singer songwriter from Maui. Together with the Algalita Marine Research Foundation and photographer Ben Moon, they made this music video for Micah’s new song “One By One” to raise awareness about the harmful effects of plastics in our environment. To learn more about Micah and his upcoming release Beyond The Shores,…
Back in May, I had the honor of attending Patagonia’s Tools for Grassroots Activists Conference. One of the attendees, Sera Harold from the Marine Fish Conservation Network, sent along the following action alert. It’s relevant to our recent Oceans as Wilderness campaign, and serves as a good reminder that our work to protect the world’s…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we’ll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn’t mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we’ll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn’t mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
Anthony Garcia from Patagonia Ventura’s I.T. department, shares this story about an e-waste collection day he coordinated back in July: Think back to the day you walked into the office and those nice folks from the I.T. department had visited your desk during the night. What do you see in front of you but a…
As the days counted down to departure, I couldn’t help but laugh. Max’s normal organized nature, the mechanical engineer in him, had been affected by the chaotic nature in me, the eccentric literature major, turned mountain guide. There are two types of travelers/packers. The ones who make lists, pack a week in advance, weigh their…
Editor’s note: Today we have the first entry in another series of posts chronicling a major climb by Steve House. Steve, along with fellow Patagonia ambassadors Vince Anderson and Marko Prezelj, will be attempting the unclimbed West Face of Makalu come September. They received grant funding from the Mugs Stump Award, American Alpine Club and…
I hinted at a treat for you last week and now it’s live. Today Patagonia launched the Tin Shed, a multimedia mini-site (à la the Footprint Chronicles) that’s loaded with dispatches from our friends and ambassadors traveling the wilder world — in high-quality video, audio and the written word. Head over to the Tin Shed…
The fight to dam Patagonia is escalating. As the namesake of our company, the South American region of Patagonia continues to be a powerful inspiration for our business and for us personally. It truly is one of the world’s last unspoiled natural treasures—wild, vast and rich in its unique attributes and biodiversity. In honor of…
In early July of 2008 we announced the release of our factory list, available from the Leading the Examined Life portion of our site. As the post states, this was a big step for us. The Footprint Chronicles is our opportunity to maintain a higher level of transparency in our corporate practice. They were launched…
That’s the question tacitly posed by a recent release from the fine folks at Perseus Books, “Naked in the Woods: Joseph Knowles and the Legacy of Frontier Fakery,” by Jim Motavalli. In it, environmental author and journalist Motavalli details the life and times of Joseph Knowles, a man who in the early 20th-century made a…
After hitting the road to enjoy the summer weather and record some future stories, Dirtbag Diaries host Fitz Cahall is back with another podcast to start your weekend off right. Today’s listener-submitted Shorts episode is voiced by Craig DeMartino. From Fitz: If you plan on calling Craig DeMartino inspirational, he would prefer you wait to…
Patagonia ambassador Mary Osborne sends word about the premiere of Live: A Music and Surfing Experience, a new surf film by David Parsa. From Mary, "It’s a killer movie about surfing and music from the ’50s to the present." Surfing Magazine says of the film, "Live: A Music and Surfing Experience dances through each decade…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we’ll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn’t mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
Surf stoke is such a positive feeling. It enriches our lives and makes us better people. Surf art has a way of rekindling the stoke when we’re not in the water — it transports us back to the ocean in our minds and hearts. The crew at Patagonia’s Cardiff surf shop have just such a…
I remember seeing the surreal images on my uncle’s television first thing in the morning, and trying to make sense of them on my way to work. I remember the eerie, empty feeling that pervaded the office that day, and canceling my flight to New York – it was scheduled for September 12. I didn’t…
Professional photographer and Cleanest Line reader, Scott Dickerson, contacted us recently about a unique aerial shoot he did with the US Coast Guard, University of Alaska, US Geological Survey and the World Wildlife Fund. It involved documenting a report of nine polar bears seen swimming amongst melting Arctic ice. He wrote about the shoot on his blog and…
The following post comes from author and urban homesteader, Erik Knutzen. I recently had the pleasure of working with Erik on a talk he gave at Patagonia Ventura about urban farming, vegetables, chickens, hooch, bicycles and cultural alchemy. I’m a big fan of backpacking sufferfests, which often involve a long drive followed by hiking thousand…
Our Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) are our front line of communication with Patagonia fanatics far and wide. The crew here at our Call Center in Reno, NV are at it seven days a week, taking orders, helping with returns, and most importantly, answering the astonishing range of questions our customers fire at us. Like flocks…
We’ve talked before about the Surfrider Foundation’s efforts to stop a proposed toll road that would wipe out Trestles,a world-famous surf break, and destroy 60% of the acreage at San OnofreState Beach, the fifth most visited state park in California. In February, the California Coastal Commission voted to deny the 241 Foothill South Toll Road.…
Patagonia has long taken an interest in the genetic integrity of our food supply. A 2002 essay by company founder/owner, Yvon Chouinard focuses on the question asked by many of our customers: What Does a Clothing Company Know About Genetic Engineering? Six years have passed, and genetically-modified foods are, if anything, a bit closer to…
To Steve’s credit, this call came in Thursday morning. Due to some technical difficulties we’re bringing it to you a little late. Our thanks go out to Steve for taking the time to make these calls. Here’s the first installment: Listen to Makalu Update 1 (mp3 – 2:36 – right-click to download) For those who…
Steve House called last night to give us another update from Nepal. The team has been trekking at altitude for a few days now to help with the acclimatization process. Listen to Makalu Update 2 (mp3 – 6:43 – right-click to download) As Steve mentioned in his first call, two friends from Oregon, Ian and…
As the warm, lasting light of summer slips into the folds of fond memory, the evening’s activities shift from late-day rides, runs, and climbs to cozier choices. If you’ve got little ones, this is the time of year you start thinking about snowy days, warm fires, and lots of hot chocolate. And what better way…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we’ll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn’t mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
Patagonia Ventura employees welcomed a very special guest yesterday afternoon. Dr. George Schaller, one of the world’s preeminent field biologists, was recently awarded the Indianapolis Prize for his relentless pursuit to save endangered species across the globe since 1952. His visit to Patagonia was the first stop on a multi-city speaking tour in conjunction with…
Regular readers of The Cleanest Line have learned to rely on regular product posts from our committed Customer Service representatives. They’re “Field Reports” of a sort . . . notes from the field about their adventures in our back-yard and beyond. This story’s a little different. It comes to us from Michelle L., one of…
It's hard not to get depressed and angry listening to the news lately. My suggestion: Take a break from NPR and tune into The Dirtbag Diaries. Host Fitz Cahall describes today's episode: A 1,200-foot rock wall in a wilderness area – that's standard summer fare. In a day, and back before dinner? Sounds easy. Without…
Our friends at 1% For The Planet have a new promotional video. Please consider embedding it in your blog or on your Web site to help spread the word. This piece uses member photographs, music by member-artist Matt Costa and was played on the jumbotron at all Jack Johnson shows throughout the summer. If…
What do you do when the helicopter you booked is suddenly grounded with engine failure? You repack everything, get as close to the mountain as possible and haul ass on foot. In today’s sat phone update from Nepal, Steve House describes how the Makalu trip almost ended in disaster, and he shares some tips on…
I said in my initial entry that I would occasionally talk about or mention product. This is only because I am very passionate about technical product. I love it when a piece of gear works exactly how it was intended when used in the conditions it was designed for. For instance: when I’m making an…
“24 hours of what?” I cried into my cell phone. “24 hours of HELL,” Kristo repeated. “Well, okay then, sign me up.” He had answered my question and we left it at that. Two months later, I still didn’t fully comprehend the meaning or significance of the event’s name. I thought it might have something…
No call from Hi, We are all settled in base camp now. All of our equipment finally arrived. We are at 18,500 ft. Steve is still ill with a cough though seems to be getting better. Marko and I hiked up a small peak behind camp that is about 20,500 ft. We will continue to…
This is a last friendly reminder to register to vote if you haven’t yet, and please encourage all of your friends and family to do the same. Deadlines for registration vary from state to state; some have passed but many haven’t. You can find a full list of voter registration deadlines at HeadCount. Interesting fact:…
Jonah. That’s the title. Simple, direct. About as austere as the landscape it refers to. Jonah is a book, and an unlikely one at that.It’s part cowboy, part environmentalist, part roughneck, and part naturalist.It’s part photo-journalism and part poetry. It’s naked fact and nuanced understanding. And it’s the self-published product of a young woman who,…
The Dirtbag Diaries is on the air with another Shorts episode this week. Host, Fitz Cahall, also wants to hear your scary campfire tales for a special Halloween episode — details below. From Fitz: The Bohrer clan isn’t your average Idaho Falls family. "Our neighbors have trampolines to break neighborhood children’s ankles and wrists. We’ve…
Two Makalu trip updates for you today, one from Steve and one from Vince. First up is Steve House calling in from the sat phone. He might not sound so hot but his illness is getting better: Listen to Makalu Update 4 (mp3 – 5:35 – right-click to download) And here’s the email Vince Anderson…
Some good news to start the week. On Saturday morning at 4:45 a.m. I received the following email and picture from Vince Anderson via sat phone (hence the low resolution of the photo): 10-18-08 On Thurs., Oct. 16, Steve, Marko and I hiked up to C2 (ca. 6,700 m.) on the std. route of Makalu…
Great news from Patagonia Europe climbing ambassadors Nicolas Favresse and Sean Villanueva, the pair established a new free route up El Capitan in Yosemite Valley. In their ground-up effort, the team blended elements of current routes Eagles Way and Bad to the Bone on their way to the base of a hitherto-featureless wall. It was…
The Vote the Environment campaign is much more than a collection of ads and web pages asking you to think green this election year. We’re doing everything we can to get out the vote, and to arm voters with the tools they need to make the environment a top issue. Toward this end, Patagonia sent a couple…
Steve House called again today from Nepal and he’s sounding a lot better. You’ll hear more about Vince and Marko’s new route on Makalu 2 and what the team’s chances are for completing their main objective: the west face of Makalu. Listen to Makalu Update 5 (mp3 – 4:39 – right-click to download) If you’re…
We close out this week with a word from our desert neighbors in Utah. Like the rest of us living in the arid reaches of the American West, resource issues are almost always at the front of our minds, and none is more critical than water. As Marc Reisner argues in his seminal work on…
On September 22, thousands of citizens attended yet another hearing on the proposed "Trestles" toll road. The hearing was held by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, who promised to make his decision between October 24, 2008 and January 7, 2009. As we begin the official waiting period for the verdict, let’s get a recap of…
With a little over a week left at base camp, everyone on the team is feeling healthy and optimistic about attempting their main objective. Weather is still an issue but the team’s meteorologist, Jim Woodmencey at mountainweather.com, says a window is coming soon. In today’s sat-phone report, an excited Steve House talks about the weather…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we’ll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn’t mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
As promised, Steve House called again just before leaving base camp for the West Face. This is an interesting call because the revised weather forecast isn’t as good as the team expected. Download or click the link to hear Steve explain. Listen to Makalu Update 7 (mp3 – 2:18 – right-click to download) Good luck…
Steve, Vince and Marko spent last night at the base of the wall but returned to base camp this morning due to extremely strong winds. Attempting Makalu’s West Face in less than ideal conditions is one thing, attempting it in a storm of flying rocks and ice chunks is just not smart. Steve House shares…
In honor of Halloween, The Dirtbag Diaries ran a contest asking for your scariest stories. Filled with treats, and maybe one trick, the winning entries have been compiled in today’s episode. Show host Fitz Cahall sets the stage: What scares dirtbags? Global warming? Nine to five? Johnny Law? The unequivocal answer – bears. After sifting…
Some sage words of caution from one of our Environmental Program Coordinators here at Patagonia. Please remember to Vote the Environment tomorrow, but don’t let your enthusiasm be the reason anyone stops you from casting your ballot. The original message follows: A last-minute election heads-up – Many of us have received news alerts or emails…
Here’s a story to keep you smiling as we all await the results of today’s historic election. On Monday, September 15, Patagonia Ventura employees were greeted by a very unique school bus in the parking lot. Daniel Bowman Simon and Casey Gustowarow, the two-man team known as the White House Organic Farm Project, or WHO…
As part ofPatagonia’s Vote the Environment campaign, we asked Deb Callahan,former President of the League of Conservation Voters and an old friendof Patagonia, to write a brief “letter to President-elect Obama,” withher thoughts on what his priorities should be on behalf of theenvironment. We also include, after Deb’s letter, a note from us atPatagonia, with…
The last time Steve House called from Makalu base camp in Nepal, we heard that strong winds had kept he, Vince Anderson and Marko Prezelj from even starting up the West Face. It was a major disappointment after all the team went through to get to the mountain. But that’s not the end of the…
Dirtbag Diaries host Fitz Cahall was fortunate to attend last week’s Banff Mountain Film & Book Festival about which he says, "For the dirtbag nation, this is our cultural center, the point from which all information disseminates outward. Whether it’s films, books, discussions on the state of the mountain world, it all begins here." As…
Fitz Cahall and Sarah Garlick are back with part two of their coverage from the 2008 Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival. Today, Sarah interviews mountain guide, author and Patagonia ambassador, Majka Burhardt, about her book Vertical Ethiopia: Climbing Toward Possibility in the Horn of Africa. Listen to Banff 2008 Interview – Majka Burhardt (mp3…
Glacial retreat is becoming an increasingly common–and unsettling–fact of mountain life in the 21st Century. Many were made more familiar with the topic through the dramatic photos of Glacier National Park displayed in Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth. News from California this week reveals the problem is present in our Sierra backyard as well. Gretchen…
We have a double-shot from Fitz Cahall and the Dirtbag Diaries to start your week. First up is the Banff Mountain Film & Book Festival interview I promised you last Friday (sorry, the Tea Fire had me preoccupied) between Fitz and Jennifer Lowe-Anker. Then, we have a new listener-recorded “The Shorts” episode of the Dirtbag…
[Update: Added a bunch of photos after the jump.] Patagonia Fly Fishing Marketer, Bill Klyn, shares his experience with a new kind of fly fishing trip. Core Angling offers world-class bonefishing in the Bahamas combined with the opportunity to help scientists study the fish and hopefully preserve their numbers for good. If you’re an angler,…
Last summer, Patagonia Dillon store employee Bucky Ballou drove from her home in Montana to Yosemite National Park, where she helped operate a bird-banding station with The Institute for Bird Populations (IBP). It was her second field season volunteering through Patagonia’s environmental internship program, which pays employees’ their full wages and benefits for up to…
Craig Holloway is back with another insightful interview. This time around Craig chats with Vincent Stanley, who’s been working with his uncle, Yvon Chouinard, for the last 35 years (on and off). Vincent is currently the head writer and editor for Patagonia’s marketing team. [Photo by Tim Davis] CRAIG: You have been employed with Patagonia…
Patagonia is proud to announce that as of October, 2008, we have become a fully accredited member of the Fair Labor Association. While Patagonia was a founding member and active participating company in the Fair Labor Association since 1999, it was not until last month that we received the distinction of full accreditation. To achieve…
Let’s get straight to the point: We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for You. That’s right, You with a capital “Y,” the one who’s reading this post. It’s You–Patagonia customers, fans of the Tin Shed, regular readers of The Cleanest Line–who deserve the thanks. Last year, we ran a post expressing our gratitude for…
Earlier this year, I was introduced via email to Austrian ultra long-distance walker, Gregor Sieböck. An interesting individual, an even more interesting pursuit; what exactly is ultra long-distance walking? I came to discover that it’s not a competitive sport, but more a way of life for Gregor and a vehicle to carry his message of…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we’ll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn’t mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
A new citizen is emerging. That citizen is engaged, concerned, and most of all, confident; confident in his or her choice as a consumer, confident in his or her power as an employee, confident that change is possible. The Footprint Chronicles were developed to document the changes we’re making as a company to lighten our…
A new citizen is emerging. That citizen is engaged, concerned, and most of all, confident; confident in his or her choice as a consumer, confident in his or her power as an employee, confident that change is possible. The Footprint Chronicles were developed to document the changes we’re making as a company to lighten our…
One year ago today, everyone at Patagonia was shocked by the sudden death of our dear friend and co-worker Kenny Harbaugh. Two weeks later, Brian Fritz, another beloved colleague, left us all too soon. We’re having a moment of silence today at 11am (PST) in remembrance of these two remarkable individuals, and the families they…
Nicole Bassett is Patagonia’s Social Responsibility Manager. As such, she is charged with traveling the world to visit our factories and verify the integrity of their manufacturing process. Thanks to her unique expertise, she gets peppered with questions from people eager to spend their dollars in the most beneficial way possible. In today’s post, Nicole…
Well, it happened. It finally snowed. Last week, we pled: “Dear Winter, Please Show Up.” We snow-loving mountain dwellers had simply had our fill of gloriously sunny and unseasonably warm days. We couldn’t take it any longer. Cries issued forth. Widespread wailing was heard. Bargains were struck with deities. And of course, the gnashing of…
Devon Howard, manager of Patagonia’s Cardiff Surf Shop, has put together another stellar event for his customers – and recorded it for all of us who couldn’t be there in person. Tune in each day, from now until Monday, as we bring you Tom Wegener’s talk at Patagonia Cardiff. The first video of the four-part…
YouTube version: Wood is Good Pt. 2 See Part One of the series for an introduction to Tom by Devon Howard and to watch the first chapter of the video. Visit Patagonia Cardiff or Tom Wegener Surfboards to see the boards.
YouTube version: Wood is Good Pt. 3 Previously: Part 1 and Part 2. We’ll conclude the series tomorrow. Visit Patagonia Cardiff or Tom Wegener Surfboards to see the boards. With thanks to Devon Howard.
YouTube version: Wood is Good Pt. 4 Here it is, the final installment of Tom Wegener’s "Wood is Good" talk at Patagonia Cardiff and what a treat this series has been (see parts 1, 2 & 3). The footage of Dave Rastovich in today’s chapter is mind blowing. Though far from mainstream, Alaias are here…
A new citizen is emerging. That citizen is engaged, concerned, and most of all, confident; confident in his or her choice as a consumer, confident in his or her power as an employee, confident that change is possible. The Footprint Chronicles were developed to document the changes we’re making as a company to lighten our…
Are you resolved to travel more in 2009? Today’s Dirtbag Diaries podcast is all the inspiration you’ll need to keep your promise for the New Year. Show host Fitz Cahall sets the stage: If stories are the currency of travel, then writer Ryan Nickum is a very wealthy man. By the time he turned 30,…
As we gear up for the New Year and some backyard adventure stories (there’s still time to submit yours) we present a bicycle-loving couple whose adventure took them as far from their own backyard as possible. In the fall of 2007, Leslie Kehmeier and her husband Chris began a 14-month journey of a lifetime. Their…
Series intro: A new citizen is emerging. That citizen is engaged, concerned, and most of all, confident; confident in his or her choice as a consumer, confident in his or her power as an employee, confident that change is possible. The Footprint Chronicles were developed to document the changes we’re making as a company to…
Idealists are frequently told that “hope” is not a strategy. Perhaps not, but it breeds inspiration, and inspiration is nothing if not the mother of the marvelous. And hope and inspiration together . . . Why, don’t they create the foundation upon which all great strategies are formed? On December 19th, Tim DeChristopher confessed in…
Patagonia employees are encouraged to reduce their environmental impact with tips from a group of co-workers who call themselves the Green Team. For 2009, the Team shared a list of nine green resolutions anyone can keep. They’re good reminders and very easy to share with friends and relatives who might need some encouragement. Nine Green…
Today’s post is from Walter Allen, a project business manager at Patagonia (and a new father). Last summer, Walter volunteered for two months with the nonprofit environmental organization, Armenia Tree Project, in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. What follows is an account of his internship, sponsored by the Patagonia Environmental Internship Program, which gives employees…
Climbing video site Momentum Video Magazine (MVM) recently posted a video of Patagonia ambassador Lynn Hill, sending the V11/12 boulder problem Chablanke in Hueco Tanks, Texas. There isn't an easy way to point you to the exact video, but it's worth the effort to locate if you want to see Lynn climb this very difficult…
Editor's note: Our Backyard Adventures series kicks off today and first up is Dave Anderson from Wyoming who proves that a vivid imagination can be your best partner on an outing close to home. Gone are the mornings spent lounging on the tailgate of my rusted-out truck, eating last night's leftover pasta with my only…
Lovers of wilderness take note: some long-fought land legislation has just been kicked into high gear. Senate Bill 22, aka. the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act, has been taking shape over the past few years. While stymied repeatedly by vigorous filibuster, a recent re-shuffling of the Congressional deck seems to have cleared the legislative log…
Last week Colin Haley (24) soloed Supercanaleta on Patagonia's Fit Roy massif. This burly effort comes less than a year after he and fellow Patagonia ambassador Rolando Garibotti completed the incredible Torre Traverse. Here's Colin's take on the solo climb: One of the reasons why my trips to Patagonia have always been among my most…
We've all been roped into last minute trips by friends. Sometimes it's to the mountains, sometimes the ocean, sometimes to a concert or festival. Earlier this week, Christian Beckwith, former managing editor of the sadly defunct Alpinist Magazine, was coerced into just such a trip. Only this time, the destination was an impoverished area in…
While we wait in anticipation for tomorrow's inauguration ceremony, let's travel back in time for a moment to the evening of November 4, 2008. The place: Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois. The event: Election Day. The author: Andrew Graves from Patagonia Chicago. [Well-orchestrated office lights. Photo: Andrew Graves] The crisp, cool, autumn evening air was matched…
In early January, former Patagonia performance baselayer developer, Elissa O’Brien, and Chris, her significant other, boarded a plane for Montevideo, Uruguay. Their plan? Eight months on bikes through South America. Elissa and Chris are sharing their trip via a great Web site full of fun narrative, photos and video. So if bicycle touring and/or South…
It’s time for another reader-submitted Backyard Adventure. This one comes courtesy of longtime Cleanest Line commenter CM, otherwise known as Craig Metzger from Southern California. CM’s story first appeared on his blog Get Outside More. I’d been planning a backpack trip with friends for some time. The plan was to hike in, camp and then…
Series intro: A new citizen is emerging. That citizen is engaged, concerned, and most of all, confident; confident in his or her choice as a consumer, confident in his or her power as an employee, confident that change is possible. The [Ed note: This installment comes from a local Ventura canoe paddler; someone whose time…
Here in Nevada, we're getting ready to go on a diet. It's a common New Year's resolution, so perhaps that's what Governor Jim Gibbons was thinking when he announced the state's dramatically trimmed budget this January. For the first time in 35 years, the governor has proposed a budget that is smaller than the preceding…
Gather 'round the virtual campfire friends. It's time for another Backyard Adventure from The Cleanest Line masses. This time, reader Doug Shepherd has a story to share about ice climbing near his home in Colorado: I have been climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park since I moved to Colorado five years ago, slowly gaining the…
Once again, The Dirtbag Diaries kicks off the new year with a podcast full of inspiration for a fun and rewarding 2009. Show host Fitz Cahall sets the stage: Rangi Smart was riding a small spur of his favorite single-track trail when he stumbled upon a perfectly designed mountain bike jump. A platform of two…
From the frosty summits of Rocky Mountain National Park, to the sultry sea of the eastern shore, our Backyard Adventurers are taking us on a grand tour of some of some true surprises. Grab a brew, pull up a chair, and enjoy as Mark Carter takes us along on his hunt for secret mid-Atlantic surf:…
The boxes had started to stack up around my desk, but they weren’t addressed to me. “c/o Kate Rutherford” was acquiring quite a stash of stuff, and when she and Mikey Schaefer finally rolled up in their basecamp-on-wheels to Patagonia HQ one sunny Southern California morning, all the pieces started to fall into place. Mikey’s…
[YouTube version – HD available] Reading the Sweetgrass Productions blog, I feel nauseous with envy. “It was beginning to dump in an absolutely ridiculous manner as we left to go to an awesome Japanese-style dinner, where much raw seafood was consumed, priming our bellies for today, which was perhaps the most disgustingly deep powder day…
Editor's note: Exactly two years ago The Cleanest Line was born, and today we have a post that embodies two of the reasons why we started blogging: to share inspiring stories and pertinent news. The recipients of the 2009 Mugs Stump Award were announced at the Ouray Ice Festival in mid-January. Hit the jump to…
Today's post comes to us courtesy of Patagonia penman and seasoned wildlife crusader, Jim Little. Take it away, Jim . . . Lisa Myers used to stand at the photocopy machine forhours, making copies–lots and lots of copies. A colleague would watch hershuffling papers, methodically pushing the button over and over, and ask herhow many…
New Jersey, Maryland, Connecticut, and New York. San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Oakland, California. And now the City of Santa Barbara. These cities and states share a desire to ban single-use plastic bags. Famous for its beauty, the stunning seaside city is considering a ban on plastic bags for what is now a well-known list…
Friends, the time is now to make your voice heard in support of Wilderness. Our previous post focused on the new administration's efforts to pass a landmark piece of legislation. While the Act easily cleared the Senate, a final hurdle remains in the form of tomorrow's House of Representatives vote. Ron Hunter, chief enviro word-spreader…
Last month Uncle Dave returned to the Patagonia campus. Like a bird he migrates back to Ventura for a spell then flies off to New England or Greece for self-rejuvenation. In the six months that he spends on campus he tends the grounds with meticulous precision. The windblown leaves are swept clean from the parking…
Several years ago, Patagonia email marketing coordinator Steve Wages saw this photograph of two anglers with a big catch of steelhead trout from the Ventura River. The shot was taken in the 1920s. Those were the glory days, when each year upwards of 5,000 steelies would leave the Pacific Ocean to swim up the rain-swollen…
"Patagonia." It’s a very commonplace word in my life these days, but I get particular satisfaction hearing and speaking of it in the context of our company’s namesake, and with so many great stories drifting our way from that wind-battered microcosm of the alpine climbing world this winter, I can’t help but feel how inspirational…
This post came to us courtesy of Patagonia Pro, Matt Holmes. Matt is the president of adventure travel company Boundless Journeys, which specializes in active and unique small group adventures to hidden corners of our world. While the majority of Americans were marinating in their own historic moment this past November, Matt was bearing witness…
Today’s post is from Dealer Service Representative Lindsey Jensen, who is on a two-month hiatus from her desk at our Reno Distribution Center for an environmental internship in Los Pargos, Costa Rica, with Sea Turtles Forever. The group works on behalf of five endangered marine turtle species, including the Eastern Pacific Green and Black, Hawksbill,…
As part of our Freedom to Roam campaign, we’re interested in Corridors that Work, wildways that help animals migrate or travel between protected areas. Recently, we heard about a series of underpasses built on Highway 30 in western Wyoming. This part of Wyoming is home to about 100,000 mule deer. Of these, 95% are considered…
Fresh off her and Mikey Schaefer's new route on Guillaumet, Kate Rutherford writes again from Patagonia about her attempt on the Chouinard classic, the California Route. [Kate Rutherford starts up the California Route, Fitz Roy, Patagonia, Argentina. Photo: © Mikey Schaefer] A few years ago, my infamous and extraordinary friend, Cedar Wright, told the world…
With everyone from Oprah to Vanity Fair advocating that we "go green," it looks like green has become the new black. And often, the Green Gurus say that sustainability is quick, easy, and profitable. If that were true, wouldn't it have happened already? Recently, we got a note from an old friend, Auden Schendler, who…
Howdy friends and neighbors! It's time to step back into the Tin Shed for a whole new round of goodness. Spring greening means time for cleaning, and our crew has gone to town on the Tin Shed. We've dusted off, tuned up, and styled out the Shed with all new videos, audio tracks, slide shows,…
Dirtbag Diaries host Fitz Cahall sets the stage for today's poignant podcast: "Climbing — this one act saves me," says Portland rock climber Bob Grunau. Throughout his life, Grunau has struggled with the lingering clouds of depression. Until he discovered climbing, the only way to weather the darker cycles was to retreat inward into his…
Today’s post is from Ryan Applegate, assistant manager of our Dillon, Montana, store. Last summer Ryan took two months off work to pedal his bike 2,300 miles from Yukon’s Watson Lake to Yellowstone National Park. But Ryan’s trip was more than a summer bike tour. Working with the Freedom to Roam Coalition, he and six…
Patagonia’s own Rick Ridgeway will be addressing the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands on “The Role of Federal Lands in Combating Climate Change,” 2 pm EST on Tuesday, March 3. Rick will be speaking on behalf of Patagonia and as a founder of Freedom to Roam, a coalition of businesses, conservation…
I recently received an email about the proposal by Pacific Gas & Electric, the utility that powers most of Northern California, to amend the renewable energy bill now making its way through California's state legislature. I was surprised to hear it could further accelerate the development of hydropower in the province of British Columbia in…
In Fall 2005, when we launched our new line of recyclable Capilene® Performance Base Layer garments, we also announced a five-year goal to make all Patagonia products recyclable through our new Common Threads Garment Recycling Program. This program invites customers to return used-up clothing and delivers the retired garments to a fiber manufacturer that uses…
It’s been my pleasure to work with Fitz Cahall as his show, Listen to The Monoboard (mp3 – 11:19 – right-click to download) For more on the music from this episode or to share a story of your own, head over to www.dirtbagdiaries.com. You can subscribe to the show via iTunes or RSS.
We're pleased share this announcement of a local gallery exhibit of the works of Phyllis Shafer. Ms. Shafer is an artist from Lake Tahoe whose work has appeared on one of our more popular t-shirts (image below). Fans of vivid, dynamic landscape imagery will thoroughly enjoy immersing themselves in her work. Please read on for…
A new citizen is emerging. That citizen is engaged, concerned, and most of all, confident; confident in his or her choice as a consumer, confident in his or her power as an employee, confident that change is possible. Although it can sometimes bog decisions down, we recently saw the benefits when Patagonia Sourcing Manager Marjorie…
The first time I heard Edward Abbey's name, I was sitting in a literature seminar. A restlessness had been brewing in the class, but no one could put a finger on it. All this inspirational literature had stirred something in us–we wondered why our suddenly precious time was being spent talking about 'theme' and 'technique'…
Wow, thank you to everyone who commented on the two-year anniversary of The Dirtbag Diaries. I too think Fitz has created something really special and it warms my heart to know there are so many of you out there who feel the same way. Your outpouring of support means a lot, really. Here's Fitz with…
I lay in bed the other night, a lot tired and a little bloodied, but smiling, thinking about the horned toad Alex and I had managed to catch earlier in the day. I’ve only seen a couple of these prehistoric-looking reptiles in the mountains of Southern California, because they’re kind of scarce and accomplished masters…
I’d never found the howl of gale force wind to be a serene experience until last week when Nick Waggoner and the Sweetgrass Productions crew dropped a February teaser on their blog for their upcoming feature ski film based in Hokkaido, Japan. Nick’s ability to capture the essence of skiing in an artistic, hypnotic and…
Series intro: Today's citizen is engaged, concerned, and most of all, confident; confident in his or her choice as a consumer, confident in his or her power as an employee, confident that change is possible. [Ed note: Everyone concerned with the state of the environment has their coming-of -consciousness story. Psychologist Elizabeth Mosco has worked…
I used to teach some classes at the local university. Feeling a little smarmy one-day, I assigned one group a research project, the topic: Thanks to the Duct Tape Creations crew for a great surprise, and thanks for keeping things simple, fun, and positive. [A custom parking place for our spare simoleons. This gem is…
Those of you who receive the Patagonia catalog will have noticed by now that the recent Spring 2009 edition was themed "Classic Climbs." Through field reports, photos and captions, we highlighted a handful of routes that consistently capture the minds and hearts of climbers from around the world. If you didn't get the spring catalog,…
We're pleased to offer today's Backyard Adventure from Patagonia Climbing Ambassador, mountain writer, and senior editor for the If I could only have one piece per body part category to do the coolest things I want to do all year, it would be the following – I call it my Kit For Life. Here it…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we'll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn't mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
Today's Dirtbag Diaries short doesn't contain any April Fool's jokes. What it does contain is a willingness by contributor Becca Cahall to risk looking like a fool in order to help a group of under-served urban youth learn how to snowboard. “As beginners, the foreign language of awkward body movements communicates a commonality and leaves…
Series intro: Today's citizen is engaged, concerned, and most of all, confident; confident in his or her choice as a consumer, confident in his or her power as an employee, confident that change is possible. Two. Hundred. Thousand. Miles. If you’re an astronaut,that translates to a one-way ticket to the moon or about 8 trips…
Today’s post is from Sarah Sweeny, a project coordinator in the creative services department at Patagonia headquarters in Ventura. In January and February, Sarah volunteered for two months with the nonprofit environmental organization, Moreton Bay Coastcare in Brisbane, Australia. What follows is an account of her internship, sponsored by the Patagonia Environmental Internship Program, which…
As The Present prepares to head east, we'd like to share news about a different kind of surf film. Ben Keller of Dubious Honor Productions, and friend of Patagonia's El Pescador, is about to take his award-winning film BlueGreen on a 14-show west-coast tour starting this Friday, April 10, in Seattle, Washington. A new surfboard…
Our good friend Josh Berry, Environmental Director for Save The Waves Coalition, sent word today from Chile for The Cleanest Line masses. Aloha Kasey! Two news items you might consider publishing on The Cleanest Line: Keeping Coast, a new short film by Save The Waves, that documents the new Coastkeeper program we've opened in Chile…
Not long ago, we offered up a Backyard Adventure tale from Patagonia Climbing Ambassador, mountain writer, and senior editor for the American Alpine Journal, Kelly Cordes. Kelly told us all about the great climbing to be had within 15 minutes of his door. Kelly’s an honest man, so he didn’t shy away from offering up…
During spring break last week, my son, Owen, and I joined up with five different families and friends in Hueco Tanks, Texas to enjoy a week of bouldering, camping and a refreshing dose of community-style living. I am a big believer in the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” I grew up…
The industry in question is the agroindustrial genetically manipulated monocrop chemicalification conglomerate. It’s a mouthful, which is why folks in this business like to refer to themselves as representatives of “conventional agriculture,” companies like Monsanto, Dow AgroSciences and DuPont Crop Protection. Let’s leave aside for a moment the fact that our friends in the agroindustrial…
Our Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) are our front line of communication with Patagonia fanatics far and wide. The crew here at our Call Center in Reno, NV are at it seven days a week, taking orders, helping with returns, and most importantly, answering the astonishing range of questions our customers fire at us. Like flocks…
Hopefully you've all seen the surf movie Sliding Liberia by now. We covered it a while back with the help of featured surfers Dan Malloy and Crystal Thornburg. The film's director, Britton Caillouette, wrote us with an update on the situation in Liberia since the film was released. Nicholai returned to Liberia last year to…
Patagonia employee Sherry Chow joined Global Exchange last year for an eye-opening trip to Ecuador. Her trip report follows and begs this question: if the president of a struggling South American country has the courage to seek out alternatives to the lucrative promises of the oil industry, what's stopping stronger nations from assisting or following…
A recent cluster of automobile accidents along Montana’s Hwy 191 has rekindled concerns about state and federal management policies for our country’s wild buffalo. In just one weekend in early April, 15 bison were struck and killed by vehicles traveling along a short 10-mile stretch of Montana’s Hwy 191. Concerned citizens, including members of the…
Happy Earth Day to the Cleanest Line masses. Today we launched a new version of the Footprint Chronicles, the place where we share information on how and where our products are manufactured, what the environmental costs are and how we think the process can be improved. There are a number of new features in today's…
Series intro: Today's citizen is engaged, concerned, and most of all, confident; confident in his or her choice as a consumer, confident in his or her power as an employee, confident that change is possible. The Footprint Chronicles were developed to document the changes we’re making as a company to lighten our environmental impact and…
Saddle up for another episode of The Dirtbag Diaries. Host Fitz Cahall sets the stage for today's podcast: In September 2008, Chad Kellogg and climbing partner Dylan Johnson stood atop 6250-meter Siguniang in Western China after completing the 10,000-foot-long SW Ridge. It was a mind-bending ascent through a massive big wall, a razor edge ridge…
Editor's note: After an unsuccessful attempt last year due to foul weather, Steve House is heading back to Makalu for some more reconnaissance and possibly another alpine-style attempt at the west face. Steve sent the following email yesterday from the halfway point on the nine-day trek to Makalu base camp. Rock climbers and boulderers attempt…
Series intro: The “My Footprint” series shares the stories of Patagonia friends and employees who have been inspired by There's a side to skiing in the United States that many American skiers would just as soon not talk about. For all of its inspiring outdoor elements, the industry as we know it is uniquely dependent…
[Ed note: The following submission is from Patagonia Velocity and Performance Baselayer Designer, Jenny Uehisa. Together with Krissy Moehl, the duo are responsible for the design and development of many of the products found in Patagonia's line of running apparel.] I first met Krissy about 7 years ago when we shared a tiny workspace together…
We're not poaching on the classic MacGillivray/Freeman surf flick but we do have news about one of its stars. Gerry Lopez's field report, "Surfing with Aloha," is one of four new stories that have just been added to the Tin Shed. Sailboat captain Liz Clark, whale activist Crystal Thornburg and the beautiful-but-burdened buffalo of Yellowstone…
Patagonia fly fishing ambassador Dylan Tomine recently returned from a trip to British Columbia. The conditions weren't ideal for fishing but they were ideal for some cold-weather gear testing. Dylan shares his thoughts here along with some great shots from photographer Tim Pask. Just back from our North Coast, British Columbia spring steelhead expedition and…
What looks to be the last winter storm of the season has just pulled out of the area and winter seems to be drawing to a close in the Sierra. It’s time to shift gears. No doubt we’ll eat those words with a final flurry of crop-crushing cold, but still, now’s the time to reflect…
Another installment of the Backyard Adventures for TCL readers today. This time, we're heading back East a bit, and a little back in time, to eastern Virginia in early January. Folks who live along the mid-Atlantic seaboard know this is one of the few places on earth that didn't get the memo – the one…
In between full-length episodes of The Dirtbag Diaries, host Fitz Cahall offers listeners like you the chance to share your own story on the show. These are the Shortz. And while we can't advocate wearing headphones during your rides to work this week, maybe you can use the time on the pedals to think up…
With his sat. phone all repaired, Steve House called from Makalu base camp last Thursday. Then it was our turn for technical difficulties here in Ventura. Now that everything's up and running again we're happy to share Steve's first phone update from the base of Makalu's West Face, the fifth highest peak in the world.…
[The proud west face, October 2008. "My goal for this trip is to assessthe feasibility of a route out of the upper most (right hand) ice fieldin the center-right of this face. The top of the top ice field is about7,400 meters. I hope to get there and touch the headwall." Photo: ©Steve House] Steve…
Today's post comes to us from Patagonia E-mail Maestro, Steve Wages. Steve's the kind of cyclist who celebrates Bike to Work Week every week of the year, finding a way to stay true to the saddle despite obligations as a professional, a husband, and a dad. His story gives us a little peek into the…
Last week's Bike-to-Work celebrations kept our dedicated team of coordinators hopping – volunteers made sure events were supplied and staffed, area business folks presented informational clinics on everything from bike tuning to trip planning and route-finding, and supporting businesses offered prizes designed to spread the word and keep the stoke alive. Employees rallied, too, with…
After last week's scary call it was great to hear a spry sounding Steve House on the voicemail this morning. He recovered well from his bout with HAPE and will be heading up to camp 2 on Makalu's normal route tomorrow. Have a listen and you'll hear about the healing atmosphere of a yak pasture,…
"Today, in conjunction with the Dirtbag Diaries, The Outdoor Parent begins in earnest. Our goal: provide stoke. Stoke to get you out of bed before dawn for a long run through the woods or a solid surf session at a favorite break. Stoke to rally the kids out for a weekend of camping beneath dark,…
Today Steve House makes good on his promise to call from camp 2 on the normal route of Makalu. From the first few heavy breaths to his attempt at simply walking 10 feet, this call will give you a pretty good sense of what it's like to be at 24,300 feet, in top physical shape,…
We’ve recently released “What’s Done in Our Name?,” the first in a three-part video series called Work in Progress that examines larger social and environmental issues we grapple with as a company. ”What’s Done in Our Name” directly addresses what we do to monitor the labor practices of the overseas factories that make our goods.…
[Makalu base camp after the storm, May 2009. Photo: Cory Richards] In today's call from Makalu, Steve House describes a tropical storm that dropped 36 inches of wet snow in 36 hours on base camp. The weight of the snow was enough to collapse their cook tent. Undeterred and with time running out, Steve is…
It’s time once again to fire up your imagination and take an audio excursion with The Dirtbag Diaries. Host Fitz Cahall is here to introduce today’s episode. “Is there a statute of limitations on finding something you’re passionate about? Is there a certain age when learning something new becomes too much to take on, or…
There’s no question one of the highlights of our Reno location is its proximity to Lake Tahoe. The highest alpine lake of its size in the States, it’s also one of the clearest, with an average underwater visibility of about 70 feet. This stunning clarity muddies in comparison to the 120 feet it boasted when…
Just as he predicted, Steve House and Cory Richards were not able to summit Makalu via the normal route. The same snow storm that collapsed the kitchen in base camp has halted their progress at approximately 20,000 feet. Listen to Steve House – Makalu, May 29, 2009(mp3 – 2:30 – right-click to download) This is…
A plot of dirt can be a great place to start a revolution. While the mission of the Green Corn Project (GCP) might not be revolutionary, their work is. You see, GCP–a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Austin, Texas–believes freedom is possible when you empower people with knowledge and skill to create an immediate benefit in…
On May 21, in a 33-25 vote, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the American Clean Energy and Security Act (HR 2454). The bill is designed to create millions of new clean-energy jobs, save consumers hundreds of billions of dollars in energy costs, enhance America’s energy independence and cut global-warming pollution. Here at Patagonia,…
Friends and followers of the climbing community were surprised to hear the recent news that Boulder-area climbers Micah Dash and Jonny Copp – along with photographer Wade Johnson – had failed to return to their base camp in a mountainous region of China. Copp is a Patagonia climbing ambassador, so we've been keeping track of…
It's with great heartache that I deliver to you the tragic news that the Chinese search team has discovered the body of our friend, ambassador and hero, Jonny Copp. A second body has been found on Mount Edgar and is believed to be Wade Johnson. The search continues for Micah Dash, but the setting and…
It was a snowy February night as I sat up in my bed staring at pictures of Mary-Kate and Ashley, dreaming of sunnier days. Ben stormed into the room, one hand gripping a microwave pizza, the other running through his golden locks. "Ok man, I've got it. We call the movie Signatures. The seasons,…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our Product Report: Synchilla Marsupial, “O” Web Belt, Women's Sender Capris, Kids’ Sky Serpent T-shirt, BabySynchilla Cardigan, Baby Puffer Vest and Kids’ Trucker HatActivity: Camping and Whale Watching, Northern CaliforniaTested by: Michelle L., Patagonia Web Team As I’ve gotten older my lack of sanity manifests itselfin…
Mention Nevada to mostfolks and what comes to mind is LasVegas glam and desert heat. Truth be told, manyNevadans are more than willing to let you think that but for the record, with313 named mountain ranges, Nevada has moremountains than any state except Alaska.Since moving here five years ago, I have been trying to wean…
I have just returned to Seattle from a three-week trip to the Central Alaska Range with Norwegian climber Bjørn-Eivind Årtun. The weather this May was significantly better than average — apart from a few days of snow showers and a wind storm that lasted for a few days, the weather was consistently mild. The weather…
I’ve been home from Makalu almost two weeks now and it’s been almost three weeks since I last posted — time flies. I was able to leave base camp very quickly because Cory Richards injured his knee in the deep snow just a few hours from base camp, the day after my last call. He…
Welcome! We're pleased to bring you part two in this series. If you missed Part 1, no worries, you can find it right here.__________________ Nevada is smack-dab in the middle of the Basin and Range topography of the Great Basin so every mountain range is an islandpoking up out of a sagebrush sea. These ranges…
There are a couple surf-related events taking place this weekend we'd like to share with you. First up is the 5th Annual International Surfing Day (ISD) on Saturday, June 20. ISD has events scheduled across the country, many of which include beach clean-ups, paddle-outs and fund-raising efforts for local Surfrider Foundation chapters. Here in Ventura,…
It's Friday, and the Dirtbag Diaries are here to help you celebrate solstice with some sonic storytelling. Show host Fitz Cahall has the beta on today's episode: “I had convinced myself at that point that my goal was so important it was worth dying for,” says alpine master Steve House about his 15-year-old dream of…
Kim Stroud, who manages our sample room here at Patagonia HQ in Ventura, came walking in the other morning with one of those cardboard boxes used to carry live things. In her “spare” time, Kim is executive director of the nonprofit Ojai Raptor Center, so she’s always nurturing some kind of critter, not just raptors.…
Today, we’ve got the final installment in Old School’s Toiyabe Trails series (previous posts: The morning after our unplanned layover day dawned clear andsunny, and while there was still a stiff breeze, it was nothing like the howlingwinds of the day before so we packed up and headed north. The TCT is splitneatly in half…
Two big contests took place over the weekend and Patagonia athletes shone brightly on both the trail and the ocean. Also taking place this weekend, the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) hosted their annual National Championships which is considered the highest profile youth surfing event in America. Taking first place in the Open Women's division…
The presidential election last fall gave many environmentalists new hope, but the Obama administration has since outraged many gray wolf advocates by upholding a Bush-era decision to take them off the endangered species list in over half a dozen states. After being nearly wiped out in most of the country, recovery efforts in the last…
If you are visiting Squamish this summer and you enjoy a refreshing session of conscious-breathing and tension-releasing exercises, then go to The Yoga Studio on 2nd Ave any day of the week. But if you are here only for a Sunday, then you gotta check out “yoga in the park.” My girlfriend Lydia taught yesterday's…
Coming off two premiere screenings in Florida and Texas, a new all-female surf film, Dear & Yonder, will make its Southern California debut tonight at the La Paloma Theater in Encinitas — site of The Present premiere not long ago. Directed by Tiffany Campbell and Andria Lessler, the film features a dynamic cast of ladies…
Do you have a ritual or a tradition for welcoming in summer? Dirtbag Diaries host Fitz Cahall shares his on today's podcast. Here's Fitz: Up in the Northwest, we say that summer doesn’t actually start until July 4th. Right now, we’re experiencing our annual June gloom. So I thought it was time to invoke blue…
It’s the first day back after a long weekend and I’m on about pitch four of the email mountain. With that in mind, I’ll keep today’s post short and let our friends at The Surfer’s Journal take the lead. I like this vid because it highlights two professional surfers from two generations, both of whom…
Sometime in the late ’80s, my bike mechanic friend John finally agreed to sell me his 1972 British-made Raleigh bicycle. I handed him $150 dollars in cash and a cold, six-pack of beer. He cracked open two brews, handed one back to me, and we both took long swigs, saluting the voodoo bike. I asked…
Last week, in regards to the recent delisting of gray wolves as an endangered species and in conjunction with our Freedom to Roam campaign, we brought you Part 1 of an interview between NRDC’s Senior Wildlife Advocate Louisa Willcox and Montana rancher Becky Weed — two individuals with two distinct points of view and a…
Friends, summer is here and once again we're grateful to have local watering holes for families and animals to enjoy. The Ventura River behind Patagonia HQ provides a few of these aquatic sanctuaries, but we must remember they're not hosts to humans alone. In 1997, southern steelhead were granted protection under the federal Endangered Species…
On Friday, we asked Ventura residents to Be a Steelhead Advocate, Report Illegal Fishing in the Ventura River. As a follow-up to that post we’re pleased to share this 2007 video from the Matilija Coalition. It’s pretty long but the stories within paint a vivid picture of what the river was like before factors like…
We’re pleased to share some good news today about a youngfriend who offers a rare bright spot in what has been a tough year for theoutdoor industry. Trevor Clark picked an interesting time to start his outdooradventure photography business – May of 2008. A lot has changed, for Trevor and for the economy, in theyear…
The Dirtbag Diaries descend from the mountains today and shove off into the vastness of the Pacific Ocean with former Surfer's Journal associate editor Christian Beamish. As always, show host Fitz Cahall is here to set the stage: “The planks of my boat are three eighths of an inch thick. Three eighths – this is…
If you live in the Ventura or Santa Barbara areas, join us at GPIW tomorrow for an evening of women’s surfing. Patagonia surf ambassador Liz Clark leads things off with a slide show about the makingof Tiffany Campbell and Andria Lessler’s film Dear & Yonder. You’llget a behind-the-scenes look at some of the challenges theyencountered,…
We got a waterless urinal a couple of months ago here on the second floor of the Crystal Palace at Patagonia HQ. It’s saving a lot of water, but smells a bit unsavory. One guy likened the odor to that of restrooms in bus terminals. Another said it was a Third-World experience without the cultural…
A few weeks ago some of the folks from the California office cruised up to our part of the coast. Glen Morden, one of Patagonia’s product designers, is a transplanted Canadian, so he was piloting the minivan as they rolled across the Island and into town. They showed up on a typical Tofino day—thick cloud,…
Patagonia Customer Service Rep, Adam Bradley, aka “krudmeister,” aka“El Monstro” has been taking some time off this summer to do a little hikingalong the Pacific Crest Trail. Before he left, we’d asked himif he wouldn’t mind sending updates. His reply: “Well, I guess, but I don’t knowhow much of a story there is to tell…
Have you ever tried to grow zucchini? I haven’t. I’m ayoungest child, and a fortunate side effect of that is a tendency to learn fromothers’ mistakes. I would watch my siblings get in trouble for something and makea mental note of what not to do. That’s why I’ve shied away from zucchini. I’veseen too often…
Our friends over at Recycled Waders have been hard at work finding new uses for some of Patagonia's most hard-to-recycle items. Fishing waders are complex pieces of gear – neoprene feet, water-proof fabrics treated with water-repellent finishes, stretchy shoulder straps, metal snaps and zippers, each of these items adds a layer of complexity to a…
Host Fitz Cahall introduces today's Dirtbag Diaries Short before hitting the road for a well-deserved summer break: Some of us were lucky enough to hoist a bulging pack onto our shoulders, stumble into the mountains and return changed at a young age. Some of us heard the mountains’ calling later in life. That doesn’t mean…
Central Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountain Range offer a stellar backyard for Steve Graepel’s adventures. A Boise resident, he wedges his endurance training around family and a full-time job. His Backyard Adventure gives us a glimpse at a beautiful section of country to be included in one of his bigger projects: connecting 1,200 miles across Idaho’s backcountry…
I don’t know when it started for me, but somehow, over the last ten years, yoga as a practice has melted into everything I do, as a continuous flow. My favorite translation of the Sanskrit word Yoga implies that everything is already united. The practice part is learning how to pay attention to this wholeness…
The Cleanest Line is pleased to share this announcement from our friend Andy Chasteen, organizer of a now-famous (and soon-to-be infamous) crusher of a climbing comp held down in a little corner of Arkansas: September 25-27, 2009 marks the 4th-annual 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell endurance climbing event held on the steep sandstone of northwest…
Great things are happening over at our sibling surf site Fletcher Chouinard Designs (FCD). Besides hand-shaping some of the lightest and strongest surfboards in the water, they're blogging on their homepage, sharing photos at Flickr and publicly answering customer questions about all the boards in the FCD quiver. While not quite as intimate as working…
We received this update from Dr. Jennifer Galvin, a filmmaker and environmental health expert whose work recently received a Patagonia-sponsored award for its focus on Ocean Sports. Congratulations to Dr. Galvin, reelblue and Swim to Empower.___________________________________ The world’s leaders in environmental conservation, ocean filmmaking and wildlife photography came together for the Blue Ocean Film Festival…
You’ve seen our catalogs, our Web site and perhaps some press about Patagonia. For those of you who have never actually seen Patagonia (and I’m imagining that’s most of our customers and friends), here are some photos from and around our headquarters in Ventura. View all or have a look at Patagonia Ventura from space.…
Editor’s note: Back in 2008-2009, when blogging was our social media channel of choice, we asked friends and customers to share stories with us about their backyard adventures. The idea came from Dan Malloy who said in an interview at the time, “My goal these days is to tap into that traveling state of mind…
In June, we offered up some information about the Waxman-Markey Climate Change Bill – aka. the American Clean Energy and Security Act, HR 2454. As we stated in that original post, our hope was to make our readers aware of the valuable protections the bill included for wildlife corridors. Our on-going environmental campaign, Freedom to…
[Trailer courtesy of The Cove and Take Part] Early reviews from folks around the company are in: go see The Cove. The movie – winner of the Sundance Film Festival's 2009 Audience Award for U.S. Documentary – is playing now in select theaters across the country and coming soon to others. Check your local listings…
Last week we mentioned an alaia shaping class at Patagonia Cardiff. Store manager Devon Howard sent some photos from the event and a brief recap for those of us who couldn’t make the trek down south. Thanks to Cyrus Sutton of Korduroy.tv for getting us stoked on providing free alaia shaping classes with Jon Wegener…
The National Parks Conservation Association has releaseda 54-page report titled "Climate Change and National Park Wildlife: Asurvival guide for a warming world." The report stresses the importance of creating wildlifecorridors within and between parks, as "climate change will cause somewildlife to move outside the parks' protected boundaries, while other speciesmay move in. Because national parks,…
It’s been a little over two months since we lost our dear friend Jonny Copp and needless to say the healing continues. Pete Takeda, a close friend and climbing partner of Jonny’s — and the author of An Eye at the Top of the World which recounts their attempt on Nanda Devi — sent in…
We test our gear on avariety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting thelatest designs and fabrics through the paces before we'll add a new product toour lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn't mean testingis over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs, our Customer Service staffgets…
In a new book from National Geographic called My Favorite Place on Earth, Yvon Chouinard talks about Wyoming’s Wind River Range, where he started climbing at age 18. For the book, award-winning writer Jerry Camarillo Dunn rounded up 75 remarkable people – ranging from the Dalai Lama to Jack Johnson to Jane Goodall – and…
Series intro: The “My Footprint” series shares the stories of Patagonia friends and employees who have been inspired by The Footprint Chronicles, and whose inspiring lives help fuel the vision of what we can do as a company. Their stories are offered here, glimpses of individual footprints spotted along the path toward positive change. We…
"22,000 feet on the Rupal Face, Nanga Parbat, Pakistan: August 15, 2004. I take a deep breath and push the honed edge of the knife against the rope. It doesn't cut. I whetted the edge for just this reason. Frustrated, I look at the small knife in the palm of my mitten. I have carried…
Many of the crew here at Patagonia del norte (aka, Not many people go to Mexico for the skiing, but that is exactly what we did on a month long rock-climbing and skiing road trip south of the border. The main objective for the trip was to climb and ski off the top of the…
As the speeding and swaying double-decker bus hurtled head-on toward us in our lane, forcing us onto the shoulder of the Pan American Norte highway, I began to rethink our decision to rent a car in Lima and make the two-day drive up the coast to Chicama and Pacasmayo, two of Peru’s most famous and…
Amy Waeschle is the author of the field report "WAP #96" and a former Patagonia catalog copy writer. She's one of the friendliest, most surf-stoked women I've ever met, especially for someone who lives in a place where conditions are finicky and 5mil wetsuits are the norm. It was a pleasure working with Amy and…
Labor Day is upon us. For many, this weekend is the time to launch a last-ditch attempt to get out into a nice, quiet piece of the great-big open. Whether camping, hiking, climbing, paddling, fishing, or simply savouring summer's final reprieve from the daily urbanized bustle, Labor Day has become, more than any other holiday…
Patagonia formally announced on September 4th that it would terminate all co-branding and co-marketing efforts with SIGG, Inc. It has come to Patagonia’s attention from recent news reports that a Bisphenol A (BPA) epoxy coating was used in most aluminum SIGG bottles manufactured prior to August 2008, despite earlier assurances from SIGG that the liners…
If you've ever called Patagonia's Customer Service line and asked a question about ultra-light hiking, then chances are good you've been referred to Adam Bradley. He's been working for Patagonia for years, during that time developing a reputation as one of the most fired-up, friendly, and knowledgeable customer service reps out there. He keeps his…
[Editor's note: The following report comes to us from Patagonia Athlete Liaison, Kristo Torgerson, with photos courtesy of Justin Bastien (www.justinbastien.com).] On August 30th, Patagonia Ambassador Krissy Moehl left an indelible mark on the ultra-running world when she crossed the finish line in Chamonix, France to take first place in the Women’s division at the…
Patagonia Rock Climbing Ambassadors Nicolas Favresse and Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll recently returned from a month of superlative success on Baffin Island’s numerous remote and wild granite walls. We were thrilled to receive Nico’s letter (below) and have been spending no small amount of time ogling all of the outstanding photos they brought home. We can’t…
We’ve just updated the Footprint Chronicles, our interactive mini-site we use to share information about how andwhere our products are manufactured, what the environmental costs areand how we think the process can be improved. There are a number of new features in today's Footprint update but the highlight is the release of the second in…
After spending the summer gathering new stories and making an appearance in the Tin Shed, Fitz Cahall is back for another season of The Dirtbag Diaries. Here's Fitz with today's episode: It was a tough summer in the climbing community. We lost heroes, friends, mentors, legends, sons and parents. We celebrate their lives with stories…
Today's post is from Lisa Myers, of Patagonia's Environmental Team. As one of the folks responsible for finding ways to support non-profit environmental groups, work with like-minded businesses, and educate others on our environmental initiatives, she works hard to stay informed. In an effort to better understand the work being done on climate-change issues, Lisa…
A couple weeks back we shared an excerpt from Amy Waeschle's new book Chasing Waves: A Surfer's Tale of Obsessive Wandering. Amy kindly donated a copy of her book for one lucky Cleanest Line commenter. And that person is … Long Story Longer! The random time generator selected 22:09 and Long Story Longer said, "Very…
“Our thoughts often go to the deepest, fluffiest powder days when we watch the tops of breaking waves get blown back to sea by a strong offshore breeze. Maybe the wind reminds us of Old Man Winter's legendary howl and roar. Or perhaps surfing among these waves – floating in that fluid ocean as the…
Our Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) are our front line of communication with Patagonia fanatics far and wide. The crew here at our Call Center in Reno, NV are at it seven days a week, taking orders, helping with returns, and most importantly, answering the astonishing range of questions our customers fire at us. Like flocks…
Our Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) are our front line of communication with Patagonia fanatics far and wide. The crew here at our Call Center in Reno, NV are at it seven days a week, taking orders, helping with returns, and most importantly, answering the astonishing range of questions our customers fire at us. Like flocks…
Our good friend and product tester, Kelly Cordes, who's also a senior editor at the American Alpine Club, has been on “The Chase” for years. He's written before about some of the ephemeral melt/freeze lines he's found in his own back yard [1, 2]. Kelly continues The Chase today – following it to some surprisingly…
We've had a great run of high-pressure and warm water this past month in Ventura. Patagonia ambassador and FCD team rider Mary Osborne captured one such day at the point while testing out a GoPro waterproof video camera. [Video: Patagonia Ambassador Mary Osborne Surfing with Water Cam by Mary Osborne] The music in today's video…
A blister formed on the palm of my hand, between my forefinger and my thumb. I always thought I had tough hands. I mean, I’m supposed to be a professional rock climber and my hands are supposed to be like leather right? But not this part, not at all. This part’s soft and tender, and…
Every other year, Patagonia hosts what it calls a “Tools for Grassroots Activists Conference.” The conference originates in Patagonia’s desire to do more than write checks to environmental organizations. It’s something between a tribal gathering and a business seminar. The ways in which activists confront and publicize issues, convince the public of their importance and…
Once again it's time to revisit a past environmental campaign, Oceans as Wilderness, and I wish it was under more positive circumstances. Patagonia grantee the Environmental Defense Center is starting to spread word about another problem the world's oceans are facing due to humanity's carbon-producing ways: ocean acidification. Read on to learn more about this…
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Today's post comes from Patagonia's Athlete Liaison and Grassroots Event Coordinator, Kristo Torgerson. Kristo's the brains and sweat behind Patagonia's involvement in what has become one of the rock climbing community's coolest events, the 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell. We announced this year's event back in July. For a complete recount of last year's event…
Indonesia is a favorite destination of surfers from all over the world, including Patagonia employees, who have visited the islands many times over the years to surf and explore. A group from our company was on Sumatra just last month. They flew into Padang, the island’s largest city (pop. 900,000), where they hopped a charter…
Today we’re following-up on Friday’s post “Great Waves, Bad Earthquakes, an Island in Need” with a firsthand account of the recent earthquake in Sumatra. Patagonia surf ambassador Belinda Peterson-Baggs was on a boat trip with our friends at Sumatran Surfariis when the 7.6 quake hit. All photos by Adam Kobayashi. Here’s Belinda: In the last…
Today's post is from the staff of our Outlet Store in Dillon, Montana, who were among the first to take part in a developing program called Witness for Wildlife, a new initiative from Patagonia and the Freedom to Roam Coalition designed to bring together the experiences of everyday Americans who are documenting wildlife activity and…
Up the road from Patagonia HQ, the fight to ban septic tanks at Rincon is making good progress. A similar shift is now being proposed for Rincon's southerly sister, Surfrider Beach in Malibu. The Malibu Surfing Association is one of many groups working on this issue and they're asking for your help. Take action: Help…
After attending the Tools for Grassroots Activists conference earlier this month, I'm particularly fired up to hear today's Dirtbag Diaries. Host Fitz Cahall introduces "The New Conservationists." Our sports, our passions provide a special opportunity to visit thenatural world's wildest places. This tradition began with climber,writer and godfather of conservation John Muir. He was a…
Patagonia friend, product tester, writer, disaster-style alpine climber, sleeping-bag spooner (and, ahem, senior editor of The American Alpine Journal) recently realized he's not keeping himself busy enough. Nowadays, that's as good a reason as any to fire up a blog. What makes Kelly's different and special? Of course you'll have to find out for yourself,…
When you build your own sailboat in Southern California and attempt to sail it the length of the Baja peninsula you don't come back with just one story, you come back with many. Today, we're stoked to have Christian Beamish join us again with another high-seas tale to complement his Dirtbag Diaries episode "Three Eighths…
Christian Beamish is back with his hand-built sailboat, Cormorant, and the conclusion to his story from Baja. Please read part 1 first if you missed it yesterday. This was bad, but in the realm of wilderness breakdowns, not so bad really. I was not injured, I would not go hypothermic – worst case scenario I…
Today's post is from Patagonia Customer Service Representative, Dave Campbell. A climbing guide and instructor, Dave recently put his skills to use to lead a couple of Patagonia colleagues (one of them, his boss) up a Yosemite Valley icon, one that holds a special place in the founding of our company, the Lost Arrow Spire.…
Freedom to Roam is Patagonia’s current environmental campaign. Its goal is to create, restore and protect corridors between habitats so animals can survive. Freedom to Roam wants to preserve and protect big wildways (or corridors) for large animals. But we also want to help all of us better understand what a corridor is, and what…
Today we repurpose an easy to digest, numbers-based summary of Patagonia’s environmental work in fiscal year 2009. First published in July in our Environmental Initiatives booklet, we’ve updated it slightly and present it Harper’s Index style. Perfect grist for a blog post, we think you’ll find it chewy but not filling. By the Numbers Quantifying…
Kelly Cordes has invited you to listen to The Dirtbag Diaries with host Fitz Cahall: Climber and Diaries contributor Kelly Cordes is what you would call an early adopter. Kelly may live in a shack at 8,000 feet, but the guy is no cretin. He’s had an email account for four years now. He knows…
The Backyard Corridors series continues with a new question about the animals roaming in your neck of the woods. Last week you told us about all the animals that live in your area. Now we’re curious about the ones that are currently out and about. Which wild animals did you see in your area this…
Patagonia employees are given a lot of latitude: flexible work schedules, hall passes for surf and snow, no one looking over shoulders making sure we’re working. In essence we’re treated like the big kids we are and trusted to get our work done. We’re also invited to help determine which groups receive money through the…
The rain has come back today, this time it looks as though it might never leave. Dark and dreary. We did however have a relatively nice week in general. Climbing was good all day yesterday, and we had a couple of beauties two days before that. [Editor's note: Today's post from Patagonia ambassador Sonnie Trotter…
As a founding member of Organic Exchange (OE), a nonprofit dedicated to expanding the production and use of organically grown fibers, Patagonia recently attended their annual conference and board meeting in Seattle. At the meeting, OE members – which include companies like Nike, GAP, Nordstrom, REI, Walmart and Target – decided to broaden their traditional…
The Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run through Colorado’s San Juan Mountains starts and finishes in the mountain town of Silverton, and has a total elevation gain of 33,000 feet. I’d met my friend Roch Horton at Grouse Gulch, the 42-mile mark, intending to pace him as far as Ouray. He’d already run the hardest stretch…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we'll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn't mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
Thanks to everyone who's shared their Backyard Corridors stories with us so far. We're going big with this week's question. What is the largest, wild land animal living in your area? Please share your answer, and any stories you may have about that animal, in the comments on our blog, The Cleanest Line, or on…
Today's post comes to us from Hans Cole, Patagonia's Environmental Grants Manager. Hans' job is all about supporting grassroots environmental groups through grant money and training, and helping to plan and run Patagonia's environmental campaigns. He facilitates the Grants Council that decides which environmental organizations will be recipients of many of Patagonia's annual environmental donations.…
Patagonia owners Yvon and Malinda Chouinard joined Friends of the Teton River this summer on a trip down a wild stretch of the Idaho waterway. Their trip commemorated a float the Chouinards had taken down the same stretch of river 35 years ago, before construction of the notorious Teton Dam. Unfortunately, the trip was not…
Editor's note: With the Pacific Ocean starting to wake up, now's a nice time to hear from our friends at Fletcher Chouinard Designs (FCD) surfboards. From the FCD inbox – I bought a 6'10" Octo model from you guys a year or so ago, and thought you'd like an update…I spent a few months this…
I like to start the day in my backyard hot tub, sipping on a cup of strong coffee and soothing sore muscles. It’s a great way to ease in. There’s also an added benefit. Spending a half hour outside each morning, sitting quietly in one place, provides an opportunity to observe the ever-changing rhythms of…
The Dirtbag Diaries is on the air. Host Fitz Cahall introduces today's podcast: As outdoor types, we love rating systems. We'll rate anything. Rapids. Climbs. Ski runs. Now, we've gone and tried to rate the unrateable — fun. Fun divided by three — it's this concept that has been floating around campfires for years. It…
It's easy to think the life of a sponsored athlete is one full of jet-set luxury and hedonistic indulgence. But we try to do things a little differently here, and our athletes are no exception. There's a reason we call them "ambassadors," after all. Yes, we look to them for insights on how to improve…
When we talk about Freedom to Roam it's impossible to make an argument for wildlife corridors without mentioning the obstacles that block an animal's ability to go where it has to go in order to survive. The obstructions we often cite include housing sprawl, energy and resource extraction, population growth, expanding urban areas, and highways…
You met them first on the Obama Express. Now, Santa Barbara Independent reporter Ethan Stewart and freelance photographer Kodiak Greenwood are in Copenhagen to cover the United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change. This morning the boys — who’ve dubbed themselves “Operation Copenhagen” — awoke to violence in the street and tear gas in the…
At the age of 14, Patagonia ambassador Ron Kauk left for a 20-day backpacking trip through the Sierra with a high school group and the hook that would tie him to large, expansive spaces was set. After that trip, he didn’t want to ride bikes with the other teenagers. He wanted to rappel. He traveled…
Today's post comes from Yoko Okuya, of Patagonia Japan's Marketing Department. Together with four of her colleagues from a variety of locations throughout Japan, Yoko and her team are taking an innovative approach to Patagonia's Environmental Internship Program by participating in a series of habitat surveys stretching from June 2009 through March of 2010. Their…
Before you start that next batch of cookies, throw on today's Short and listen joyfully while visions of riding dance in your head. Happy holidays from Fitz Cahall and The Dirtbag Diaries. Whether you swing a hammer or hammer on the keyboard, we all find ways to stay sane during the workweek. Maybe it’s a…
I grew up in a family that didn't ski, so it never occurred to me 'til I moved out West that Bing Crosby might have been a total powder hound. Why else would he have been " . . . dreeeaming of a whiiiite chrISTmas . . ."? It can't be because he likes shoveling.…
Employees at our Dillon outlet store gained some “Freedom to Roam” last summer when Patagonia funded an environmental internship for store staff. Outlet employees chose to work with American Wildlands (AWL), a Bozeman-based non-profit that works in Montana to identify and prioritize wildlife corridors. Donning leather boots and gloves, they headed to the Centennial Valley,…
It’s rare when industry competitors get together to collaborate. It’s even more unusual when they get together to discuss ways they can lessen their environmental impact. Yet that’s what happened as a result of our relationship with bluesign® technologies, an independent third party that screens the dyeing and finishing of textiles. We recently met with…
It's been said that the squeakiest wheel gets the most grease. Some take this to mean that the best way to be heard is to complain loudly and often. We hear from a lot of these folks. Their correspondence can sometimes be downright entertaining. Yes, we gladly do whatever we can to make things right…
I’ve dreamt of Indian Creek for years but had never made the voyage. Now I had an excuse. The Patagonia Design Offsite was to be in Utah this month and I wanted to attend. This would be my first trip to Moab and Indian Creek. I picked up my friend Bill Beckwith in San Francisco.…
The Ouray Ice Festival, one of the highlights of the ice climbing season, is in full swing this weekend. It blasted off Thursday night with slide shows from Caroline George and Andres Marin. By all reports Caroline’s show was great and Andres' was hysterically funny. Tonight myself and Majka Burhardt go on at 8:30pm with…
Before all the memories from Copenhagen fade from our collective consciousness, Santa Barbara Independent reporter Ethan Stewart and freelance photographer Kodiak Greenwood remind us of one very positive presentation they witnessed at the conference. Last month, the whole world was watching Copenhagen as the United Nation’s held their much hyped Framework Convention on Climate Change.…
A little over a year ago, we invited readers to submit stories of their own Backyard Adventures and announced a deadline of January 9th, 2009. Here we are in 2010, and still (happily) receiving submissions. The most recent is this beautiful audio slideshow from father and Bend, Oregon resident, Jason Albert, entitled Backyard World. The…
We're indeed reveling in the stoke produced by this week's news from Canada: Patagonia Skiing Ambassador Arne Backstrom did his home resort proud with a strong one-two win at the Freeskiing World Tour, in Revelstoke, British Columbia on Sunday, January 10, taking both the men's overall title for event, and the Backcountry.com Sickbird Award. News…
The Dirtbag Diaries kick off 2010, and your weekend, with their annual Year of Big Ideas episode (2008, 2009). Do you have aspirations for the new year? Becca Cahall takes the mic today for an episode that's full of great goals: Ski filmmaker Nick Waggoner knew what he wanted to do with his life. He…
Freedom to Roam wants to preserve and protect big wildways for large animals. The "preserve" part of that statement reminds us that wildlife corridors exist already and that leads into our question this week: Does your area have any wildlife corridors? We'd love to hear from you on our blog, The Cleanest Line, or on…
All of us at Patagonia are thrilled to welcome our newest climbing ambassador, Tommy Caldwell, to the family. And we at The Cleanest Line can't wait to share some of Tommy's stories with you in the coming days. Until then, check out the formal press release below and an extremely informal video after the jump.…
Climbing and yoga are often compared for their ability to transport us into the moment. In today’s dispatch, Ron touches on both disciplines and another activity that connects them. Listen to “Learning to Walk Again”(mp3 – right-click to download – music: “Chuya” by Sus Corez) Return to Balance: A Climber’s Journey is available through…
In September, we featured a post about a new film from Patagonia Climbing Ambassador Majka Burhardt and filmmaker Chris Alstrin, Waypoint Namibia. Burhardt and fellow Patagonia Ambassador Kate Rutherford rallied climber Peter Doucette, photographer Gabe Rogel, and Alstrin to round out the crew they would need for their month-long trip to Africa’s second-least-populated country, where…
While humans debate the degree, extent and (still) the mere existence of climate change, scores of species are left to deal with its realities. We don’t all live at the seething edge of a major wildlife migration route, but many of us have observed subtle changes in the behaviors of the animals that live (or…
Josh Berry, environmental director for Save the Waves Coalition and the man behind All Points South, just released a new video with Captain Paul Watson (Sea Shepherd) and Dave Rastovich (Surfers for Cetaceans) sounding off on the continued need for ocean activism. The video also features surfing from Timmy Turner, Ramón Navarro, Brett Schwartz and…
Today’s post is by Patagonia Fly Fishing Ambassador, Topher Browne, who has dedicated his energies to the protection of salmon for two decades. Says Topher, “A species that requires not one but two entirely separate ecosystems would seem a dubious proposition. The transition from fresh water to salt water and back again . . .…
This morning, on the way to work, I heard a story on NPR about the power of activism and an important anniversary. Fifty years ago today, four African American college students challenged society by walking into a Greensboro Woolworth's, sitting down at the segregated lunch counter and refusing to leave until they were served –…
Like a majestic pack of finger-clicking primates roaming the wilds of the Internet, our migration through the Backyard Corridors series is almost complete. Thank you one and all for sharing your thoughts with us and helping to paint a better picture of local-scale corridor issues. This week's question: Which animals in your area might need…
[Approaching can be so miserable. Photo: Mikey Schaefer] By all accounts, the weather down in Patagonia this season has been terrible so climbers are taking what they can get. This has been the case for Patagonia ambassadors Mikey Schaefer and Kate Rutherford. After getting skunked on the larger features they had hoped to climb, Mikey…
On Wednesday, February 10, Chris Malloy’s long-anticipated film 180° South will premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Details can be found on the Woodshed Films Facebook page or the SBIFF site. For those who can’t make the premiere, we’ll soon have more info on future screenings and the release of the film on DVD and Netflix. Patagonia Books has also published…
A while back, one of the local news outlets ran a story: “Dad Jumps Between Mountain Lion, Son.” The story was picked up by CNN and went national in just under 24 hours. In that story we were introduced to a man who had recently moved his family to northwestern Nevada and purchased a home…
One very fine day in 1973, Gary Ward and I were surfing Rincon and it was just perfect. We both had to leave around 1 p.m. to get back to work, but the look and feel of the Rincon on that day was more alluring than silver or gold. She was alive and dancing before…
What better way to browse the Winterfest Sale than with the Dirtbag Diaries playing in the background? Here's host Fitz Cahall with today's listener-submitted Short: More people reach the top of Mount Everest than hike the entire length of the Pacific Crest Trail. It asks a lot of the human body. When writer Alissa Bohling…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and Products Tested: Capilene 2 Bottoms, Shelled Insulator Pants, Simple Guide Pants, Windproof Gloves, Socks, Nano Puff, Alpine Wind Jacket, R2 Jacket, Integral Jacket Activity: Cool Weather Cycling in and around the high desert Average temperatures: 20 – 30ºF Testers: Jim A. & Suzanne K.,…
It's the cocoon of night that brings total escape. Escape from all that my eyes can be distracted by. Because after all, I do this for its simplicity: to surround myself with only the sea, a craft and my heartbeat. It's not that paddleboarding by day is so bad it just seems to reach a…
The second year of the American Alpine Club’s Los Glaciares National Park Trail Restoration project, sponsored by Patagonia Inc., wrapped up successfully in early December. Over six weeks in the Patagonian spring, the ten-man Argentinean-American team, led by project coordinator Rolando Garibotti, with help from many volunteers, continued work begun in 2008 to restore heavily…
We discussed the elimination of Nevada’s state-supported Organics Program just over one year ago. At the time, the state was facing severe budget shortfalls and the budgetary scythe cut a wide swath. The situation has gotten worse, and despite a successful defense in early 2009, the program is once again facing elimination. Organic consumers take…
Growing Solutions is a 501c (3) non-profit organization located in Santa Barbara County. They are dedicated to the restoration and preservation of California’s remarkable botanic wealth and rich diversity. We've supported their work through donations and were pleased to welcome them at this year's Tools for Grassroots Activists Conference. They've accomplished a great deal since…
A few of us in the office have been reading Tree Spiker — the memoir of Mike Roselle, co-founder of Earth First! — and while it's not as lighthearted as today's Dirtbag Diaries episode the timing is still excellent. Stay tuned for our review of Tree Spiker. In the meantime, Fitz Cahall is here to…
Please read the following update and urgent plea for assistance from our friends at Save The Waves Coalition. Note: "All donations to Save The Waves for Chile earthquake relief will go directly to humanitarian aid in the most devastated region. No bureaucratic filters, no delays, just pure support for the coastal communities that are in…
A little over a year ago, we invited readers to submit stories of their own Backyard Adventures and announced a deadline of January 9th, 2009. Here we are in 2010, and still (happily) receiving submissions. Today’s post is from previous Backyard Adventure contributor Steve Graepel, author of an earlier piece about traversing central Idaho’s Sawtooth…
On his final day in Hawaiʻi, after competing in the Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic earlier in the week, Patagonia surf ambassador Keith Malloy scored some glorious conditions at the famous reef break. “Spring Pipeline is my favorite time of year,” says Keith. “My 7’4” FCD was the perfect board for this day. I surfed for two…
If you watched the Academy Awards last night you may have seen Patagonia's founder, Yvon Chouinard, appear on a commercial for the American Express Members Project, a new partnership with social-action network Takepart.com. The piece was filmed in and around Ventura County by Robert Richardson – himself an Oscar-winning cinematographer – and directed by Scott…
“Chilean Patagonia is a remote region of the world where nature–long left to its own devices–grows wild, beautiful and largely untouched by man. As South America's last frontier, the region boasts incredible biodiversity, breathtaking landscapes, essential ecological values, and a remote solitude that is increasingly rare.” The above is taken from the blog-in-progress for a group…
As Rios Libres sets off to help keep Chile's rivers wild and free from dams, Save The Waves Coalition is working hard to bring much needed relief to the residents of Chile who were hardest hit by the recent earthquake. Here's the latest word from Save The Waves on their relief efforts. Donations are still…
Jonathan Thesenga has been everywhere. A great climber, traveler and storyteller, his hit list is adorned with some of the best out-there adventures and destination discoveries of the last decade. Morocco, Mali, the Czech Republic and the storied Stolby trips come to mind immediately. So when he expressed interest in exploring some new routing options…
We've just received some fresh correspondence from the Rios Libres team with their latest progress. Their first post (featured on TCL Monday, March 8) got the journey started. Today's post shares a first taste of the wild, vibrant waters of the Río Baker, where it meets the Neff. Stay tuned for next week's update…
["Yvon Chouinard Q&A on Matilija Dam – American Express Member's Project" via YouTube. Video: Robert Richardson and Scott Hicks] Today we're following up on Yvon Chouinard's recent commercial for the American Express Members Project. The grad student Yvon mentions in the above video was Mark Capelli who, through his group Friends of the Ventura River,…
Georgia River Network is a long-time recipient of Patagonia's Environmental Grant support that has been working for years to ensure the health of their watersheds. Over the years, they've increased the number of people involved in the protection and management of Georgia's waters by improving awareness of the issues that threaten the state's waters, setting…
Team Rios Libres is back with an update from the Neff Glacier, at the headwaters of the Río Baker. The team’s first two reports can be found here (1, 2). With the Neff at their backs, the team followed the river to the sea, doing their best to document the diversity, beauty, and wildness of…
When Save The Waves Coalition reacted to the recent earthquakes and tsunami in Chile, their first priority was bringing clean drinking water to the more remote areas of the country. That phase is now complete but the larger work is far from over. Read on for an update and a new batch of photos from the…
Most of our employees have interesting stories to tell, but few have spent 15 months in an East German jail after abandoning a plan to somersault the Berlin Wall from a trampoline before trying to escape the country on foot. Holger Bismann, managing director of Patagonia Europe, was generous enough to share some of his…
One world, one love, one blog. Yesterday we heard from an East German employee, today, India native Harini Ayer shares her Short on The Dirtbag Diaries. Host Fitz Cahall sets the stage: Throughout the course of the Diaries, I'd hazard to guess that hundreds of you have written in about the struggle many of us…
It's been said that if you remember the 60s then you weren’t there. But if, like me, you grew up in the 60s and 70s and were into backpacking or climbing, there is actually a whole lot to remember. Like many of us, I got my start backpacking in the Boy Scouts. I remember our…
Editor’s note: Our thanks go out to Patagonia ambassador Kitty Calhoun for sharing today’s story and photos. This is the first time we’ve featured one of Kitty’s stories on The Cleanest Line, hopefully it won’t be the last. Cars, phones, money are the necessary bane of my existence. On this trip I would need none…
We’re sliding open the doors to the Shed and sweeping it clean this spring. Tune into the season with a fresh batch of stories from our friends and ambassadors out in the wild – in videos, audio and written word. And don’t worry, just like our favorite winter sweaters, we’ve found a place to stash…
Team Rios Libres has completed their journey through Patagonia, studying the potential impacts of 5 proposed damns on two of the region's wildest and most healthy rivers. Two of the dams are proposed for the Rio Baker – Chile’s longest and highest-volume wild river. The remaining three dams would be built along the Rio Pascua,…
In today’s audio dispatch, our friend and ambassador Ron Kauk introduces a new non-profit project he’s been working on with Kenji Hakuta, professor of education at Stanford University. Listen to “Sacred Rok” (MP3 – right-click to download) Sacred Rok provides the chance for small groups of young people between the ages of 14 and 21…
Patagonia has created a site for you to explore Witness for Wildlife trips. Last summer, we partnered with some great conservation groups who traveled into several wildlife corridors. Read about the threat of bark beetle kill in the mountains of Colorado and about bighorn sheep in the Nevada desert. Let these trips inspire you! And…
Join us at GPIW Patagonia Ventura for an artist reception and show on Saturday, April 17. We’ll be featuring the work of professional artists from around the country who produce designs for our T-shirts. From classic to contemporary, their work will be on display at Patagonia throughout the ArtWalk weekend and beyond. Meet them at…
The Dirtbag Diaires is on the air and host Fitz Cahall is back once again to introduce today's podcast: Success. What is it? How does each of us define it in our lives? It’s a question that has hovered over many of the stories we’ve told in the last three years. Aimee Brown has…
On a chilly Friday afternoon I took the short walk from Patagonia’s campus to the parking lot for the Ventura River, where employees of Patagonia, Deckers and Horny Toad had gathered for our first Backyard Collective clean up. This stewardship event had been created by ConservationNEXT, part of The Conservation Alliance, in partnership with Santa…
[Video: "STANDING – Chile Tsunami Relief Film" by SaveTheWaves via YouTube] "This tsunami was the biggest wave we've ever surfed but we surfed it together." –Sergio “Pocha” Salas: surfer, earthquake & tsunami survivor and relief activist, Constitución, Chile. In a sense, all of us did surf this earthquake and tsunami together. While Pocha and others…
Doug Chadwick is a writer of natural history based in Whitefish, Montana. His work has taken him all over the world to research books and articles about whales, grizzlies, ants and elephants. Six years ago, wanting to spend more time in the field – and less at the keyboard – he began working closer to…
Between southern Idaho’s I-84 and the portion of I-15 transecting Nevada’s southern tip stretches a vast, empty land – over 500 miles of mountains, sagebrush, and wild bunchgrass. The area is home to some of the lower 48’s loneliest corners; even today, it's crossed by only two major east-west routes. It has remained a region…
When I was kid in the early 80s, collecting stickers was a big deal. This was well before roof-top sport boxes, so we used sticker books. Among the favorites in my modest collection was a bright and glittering one that shared coveted centerfold real estate with all of the scratch-n-sniffs. It was huge and…
Inside the recently updated Tin Shed is a beautiful and poignant, animated video by climber and artist Jeremy Collins. It’s called Border Country. Today we’re stoked to share a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Border Country and the passion that was poured into it by Jeremy and his companions at ThreeHouse. Video: The Making…
Our Freedom to Roam campaign casts a wide net. It has to. The quest to preserve large tracts of habitat for migratory species creates the opportunity for some unexpected conversations and unlikely collaborations. Nevada Wilderness Project's (NWP) current effort to document – in collaboration with record-holding thru hiker, Adam Bradley – the proposed route of…
[Video: “Rios Libres Video Blog 2 with Timmy O’Neill – Rio Baker Portage” by Rio Libres] When last we heard from team Rios Libres, Craig Childs summed up their journey to Patagonia in a beautiful post called “The Places In Between.” Now that the team is home, work has begun on a film highlighting their…
On the heels of our latest (and final) update from the Rios Libres team, we have this information from our friends at the International League of Conservation Photographers who are working hard to fight dams on the Rio Baker in Chile. Understanding the importance of images in environmental debates, the League of Conservation Photographers use…
We just launched our new Spring 2010 Surf Online Catalog with the theme "Protect Your Break." Inside you'll find articles highlighting threatened surf breaks around the world and links to the good work our friends at Save The Waves Coalition are doing to protect those spots, including their exciting new initiative, World Surfing Reserves. The…
The Copp-Dash Inspire Award, sponsored by Black Diamond Equipment, La Sportiva, Mountain Hardwear and Patagonia, announced the first winners of the new climbing grant established in memory of American climbers Jonny Copp and Micah Dash, who were killed in an avalanche in China in May 2009 along with filmmaker Wade Johnson. In addition to providing…
It wouldn't have been so bad if the dog didn't try to chew the photographer's face off. But that was just the start of it, and besides, how could he have known? All he knew is that there he was, huddled alone in the middle of a Nowhere most folks can't even imagine; a nowhere…
Happy Mother's Day to all the Patagoniac moms out there. Thank you for all you do. In lieu of organic roses delivered to each of your doorsteps, we present a new Shorts episode of the Dirtbag Diaries for you to enjoy in bed while your offspring prepare your favorite breakfast. Show host Fitz Cahall introduces…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our athletes and ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we'll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn't mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
Two small grassroots organizations that Patagonia supports have hit the news recently for their work on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The Deepwater Horizon drilling rig sank after a fire on April 22. Afterwards, John Amos, a geologist and founder of SkyTruth, went to work. Using the skill he once used as an exploration…
Stanley's was a surf break in Ventura County that was destroyed in the 1970s to make way for a highway. Listen to Yvon Chouinard describe what Stanley's used to be like and check out some great archival footage of this spot, courtesy of The Living Curl. This video and other stories like it can be…
Patagonia ambassador Kelly Cordes steps into the ring this week for another round with Fitz Cahall and the Dirtbag Diaries: "Fantasies happen from a safe distance. It's one thing to say you want something, even convince yourself of it. It's another thing all together to stand under a 3,500-foot nightmare you've feared for 15 years…
27 miles outside of Haines, Alaska. I am sitting in a lawn chair perched outside our rental house. I am wearing surf trunks and sunning my pasty white chest after a long winter season. There are smooth river rocks beneath my bare feet. The white strips of snow on the South facing mountains littering my…
A bolt of lightning seeking a path from cloud to ground will trace a path of least resistance. Sometimes that path will lead a jagged bolt through a lone tree, at others, through the limbs of an unfortunate individual caught out in the storm. In our attempts to harness the power of electricity we have…
Today's post comes from Patagonia surf ambassador Keith Malloy. Hopefully it'll inspire you to seek out some waves and wildlife over the long weekend. [Photo: www.burkardphoto.com] "We had a great trip up to the northwest this spring," said Keith. "Good weather and consistent swell gave us fun waves everyday. We were blown away at how…
Our earlier post about the need to protect wild salmon in the federal salmon plan – signed May 20th – focused on urging the Obama administration to stand up for salmon and the Endangered Species Act. In an unfortunate decision, Obama took his cue from an illegal administration plan carried over from the Bush administration.…
Patagonia Climbing ambassador Nico Favresse headed to Baffin last year with fellow ambassador Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll to see what they could see – maybe climb a few things. They returned with killer images and a sack full of first ascents and notable repeats of huge granite lines in a landscape seldom visited and even more…
Writing about Patagonia’s Footprint Chronicles for the blog Greenovate, Michael Hurwitz states, “While many companies are, of course, implementing transparency initiatives, Patagonia’s project is more or less unprecedented, because of the size of the company as well as the fact that it originated from customer demand.” After over three years of steady work on our…
All of us at Patagonia are deeply saddened to share news of the death of Arne Backstrom, our friend and skiing ambassador. Our love and support goes out to the Backstrom family and all of Arne's friends. Arne (29) was at the height of his professional freeskiing career, having just won the McConkey Cup, the…
[Original artwork, like this painting by AD Maddox, was on display alongside Patagonia clothing and gear inside Great Pacific Iron Works. Photo: Dave Kanarek] Back in April, Patagonia T-shirt artists were featured in a “Meet the Artist” reception at Great Pacific Iron Works, the original Patagonia retail store in Ventura, California. As a participant of…
The trees are in bud, green leaves are unfurling, robins are here, but winter is hanging on in the high country. People are skiing big lines, the last of the winter ice climbs are weeping from the rock walls and collapsing in jumbles or broken blue blocks. I've been scheming with my Salt Lake City…
We’ve received some phone calls and emails from concerned readers regarding a photograph Patagonia published in our Summer catalog, page 50. The photo by Morgan Hoesterey (shown here) is of Sanja du Plessis freediving off Oahu. Near her, are several spinner dolphins. The people who wrote and called were worried that the photograph might encourage…
Editor's Note: When Americans tell stories about climbing in France, their tales usually include a mention of the food, the wine, or an encounter with a crazy Frenchman. Patagonia Climbing Ambassador Jasmin Caton recently returned from a climbing trip to France's Verdon Gorge, where, it seems, she enjoyed close encounters with all three. Prior to coming…
iPods rejoice! The newest episode of The Dirtbag Diaries has just gone live. Our friend and host, Fitz Cahall, is here once again to set the stage. As a child, Freddie Wilkinson was fascinated by K2 and the adventure narratives from 8,000 meter peaks. It led to an incredible career as an alpinist seeking out…
Ever ridden in a backpack, surfed tandem, skied on a leash, been pulled up to the belay, sat on the handle bars or just had a downright radical experience with the helping hand of your Rad Dad? In celebration of Father's Day, we put that question to you a little over a week ago. The…
Comeback – n Informal or vb come back (intr. adverb) 1. a return to a former position, status,etc. 2. a return or response, esp. recriminatory 3. To become fashionable again I am just leaving the belay on Pitch 5 of Aurora (5.8, A4), a steep, difficult aid line on El Cap. It has been five…
Patagonia Rock Climbing Ambassadors Nico Favresse and Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll, together with Nico’s brother Olivier, photographer Ben Ditto, and Bob Shepton (their esteemed sailboat captain) set off on their big summer expedition just over a week ago. You can find regular updates on their partner site Xpedition.be. For those not yet familiar with their unique…
Editor’s Note: Today’s post comes from Dan Moore, down in southern Utah. Dan sent us this story in response to our request to “Tell Us About Your Rad Dad.” Last week’s featured submission was from a young lady whose discovery of herself and the outdoors is still unfolding. This week’s feature offers a look back…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our Athletes & Ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we'll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn't mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
I have approximately 30 bruises, I tried to count them but some blend together, and five gobbles (cuts or abrasions from the rock): one on the ankle, one on each shoulder, a small one on my hand, and a tiny one on my wrist. I feel like I fared pretty well on that huge physical…
Editor’s note: For Fathers’ Day 2010, we asked readers to Tell Us About Your Rad Dad. We received lots of great photos and short stories about dads who have done all kinds of cool things with their kids. George Gess’s story caught us by surprise. The third in our series of submissions (the first two…
Bjørn-Eivind Årtun and I have just come out from a 37-day trip to Denali and Mt. Foraker, which was partially funded by a Mugs Stump Award and the Norwegian Alpine Club (NTK). Here is a report of what we did. [Bjørn-Eivind high in the Messner Couloir on our first visit of the expedition to Denali’s summit. Photo…
I'd like to take this opportunity to remind you of our Patagonia Jobs page. There are some very good opportunities up there right now. Vice President of Global Sales? You know you want it. If so, consider today's Dirtbag Diaries, and the accompanying photo, tips for applying. Here's, Fitz Cahall, host of the show, with…
Video: Patagonia Cardiff Event- Castles in the Sky by www.KORDUROY.tv. Take a walk around Cardiff with Dan Malloy and watch some excerpts from Taylor Steele’s new surf film, Castles in the Sky. Dan hopped the train down to Patagonia Cardiff where he introduced the film on a summer evening to about 550 folks. A trip…
Earlier we told you about Patagonia ambassadors Nicolas Favresse and Sean Villanueva, and their current climbing trip: Greenland Vertical Sailing 2010. Nico and Sean, along with Olivier Favresse and Ben Ditto have stowed aboard Captain Bob Shepton's boat to sail the west coast of Greenland looking for virgin big walls to explore. We thought their…
Witness for Wildlife is a new program where folks like you can become citizen naturalists and help make the mission of Freedom to Roam a reality. Who knows? You might just score a rare photo like Michael Quigley did on his Witness for Wildlife trip. [The ocelot recently photographed in Cochise County, Arizona. Photo: ©2009…
Every minute passing means more beaches are covered in brown oily tar balls. Weather and winds fluctuate in all directions, pushing crude oil into new areas of fresh white sand beaches, covering sea animals, rivers and marshes. Fish are dying; crabs are now toxic, and mammals slowly are being poisoned. Three days ago today, the…
You see, in this world there are two kinds of people, my friend. Those who've never heard of the Dirtbag Diaries, and those who listen. You listen. Here's Fitz Cahall to tell you about the good, the bad and the ugly in today's podcast: "There aren't so many real cowboys left in America, just a…
![Greenland Vertical Sailing: The Devil’s Brew [Updated]](https://www.patagonia.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/6a00d8341d07fd53ef0133f2b10e77970b-768x432.jpg.webp)
“Impossible mais possible après tout.” (Impossible but possible after all.) “I’ve been looking at that wall for twelve years, but I’ve never found any team good enough” –Bob Shepton winner of the 2009 Tilman Medal. Editor's note: When last we left the crew of Dodo's Delight, they teased the start of a new multi-day climb,…
[Update 4/18/11 via Save the Waves & Surfer's Path: The fight continues to save Doolin Point and Crab Island. Despite the recent approval by the Clare County Council to build a pier that threatens the world-class waves of Crab Island and Doolin Point, the project now must acquire a foreshore license by the Department of…
As I type this, having just returned from a two-week photography trip to the Arctic, my fingertips tingle, possibly from the lingering cold, or possibly from the trepidation that the tragedy of the Gulf oil spill will someday repeat itself. Though President Obama has temporarily halted plans to allow drilling for oil in America's Arctic…
“Dude, what happened to your face?” That’s the most common email subject line from my friends recently. Editor’s note: It’s my distinct pleasure to introduce The Cleanest Line’s newest contributor, Kelly Cordes. Most of you know Kelly from his photos and field reports in Patagonia catalogs, his ambassador bio, or his video Somethin Bout Nothin.…
Cleanest Line contributor Craig Holloway is back with another installment of his employee interview series. Today, Craig speaks with Cheryl Endo, Patagonia’s T-Shirt Line Director, about her job inside Patagonia and her interests outside the company. Craig – What made you decide to come work at Patagonia? Cheryl – In 1988 I decided to take…
At my margarita deck party here on the Solstice, of which I remember little, Tommy C had told Scotty D that this one obscure crag had three good routes, each a number grade apart. Scotty thinks he might have remembered that they went left to right, easy to hard. Our friend Ammon later told Scotty…
Last week I wandered around the Outdoor Retailer trade show, where companies in the outdoor industry show off their new products and do business. Personally, it’s mostly a chance to see friends, drink beer, b.s. with friends, and drink beer. Er, I mean, “network.” Fun times, but it’s great to be home and climbing again.…
Working to protect and restore the natural world can be a dynamic endeavor. To capture the energy that goes into this work, we bring you an enhanced electronic version of our Patagonia Environmental Initiatives 2010 booklet. View a fireside chat with Patagonia founder and environmentalist-in-chief Yvon Chouinard, accompany world-renowned photographer Florian Schulz as he sheds…
Every year, some friends and I converge on an really cool spot near Yosemite where we hike six miles carrying absurdly heavy packs and eat crazy amounts of really good food. Over the years, the only down side to this idyllic spot has been the parking. And by parking I don’t mean finding a space,…
We love the escape. Sometimes climbing is just climbing, and everything doesn’t need to symbolize anything more. I read that Hemingway said there was no symbolism in The Old Man and the Sea (my all-time favorite book), and that “The old man is an old man. The sea is the sea.” We can draw our…
We test our gear on a variety of levels. Our Athletes & Ambassadors are responsible for putting the latest designs and fabrics through the paces before we'll add a new product to our lineup. But just because something reaches our shelves doesn't mean testing is over. Once a new item shows up in our catalogs,…
The Fall Alpine catalog just came out – or will be out soon – and has a theme of near-misses. Those climbs where we gave all we had but came up short. Anybody who’s thrown themselves to the alpine knows the story, and in the catalog we share some of those specific tales. I wrote…
[Tracing the Edge playlist, kick back and watch episodes 1-5. Video: Fitz Cahall & Bryan Smith] Our friend Fitz Cahall, who you know from The Dirtbag Diaries, and his partner Bryan Smith have created a new 10-part video series, Tracing the Edge, that peers into the lives of three Patagonia ambassadors. You saw the first…
There’s a great saying that goes, “If you don’t travel, you stagnate.” I think the idea also applies to engaging ourselves with people beyond our usual crowd. We can so easily get stuck in our own little circles, which also breeds stagnation and ignorance. And so two weekends ago I went with my ultraunner friends…
Editor's note: Between the floods in Pakistan, the Gulf oil spill and the anniversary of Katrina it's easy to forget about the 8.8 earthquake and tsunami that brutalized Chile in February. Our Friends at Save the Waves Coalition haven't forgotten and continue their relief efforts in the hard to reach coastal areas of the country.…
Our lives seem to move in fast forward. We run from our homes to our jobs and back barely noticing the scenery, or the people around us. For touring musicians the pace is even faster—they drive 300 miles to a city that they’ve never seen during the day, load their gear into the venue for…
Colin Haley used the Cascades as a springboard onto the world's hardest-to-reach summits. The range's fickle weather, arduous approaches and complex glaciers were perfect tests. Summit by summit Haley connected the dots until multi-day outings like Mount Shuksan and Mount Slesse became day trips. The next episode, with Krissy Moehl, airs September 8. To catch…
I love the characters in our world. They color things, make everything interesting, and so often dwell on the fringe. Maybe it was a compliment when my friend, The Chief, got lectured by his father: “When are you drifters gonna move out of the gray area and join the human race!” Another such character, The Danimal…
[Ed Note: Kelly lets us write the title, so of course we're going to take a chance to tease him. And it goes without saying, but we'll say it anyways for all those bone-heads out there who are too-cool for school: there's nothing yella-bellied about protecting your skull. Wearing a helmet is more than a…
Is it possible to live an entire life in a single day? Ultrarunner Krissy Moehl has while racing. Massive 100-mile courses contain a lifetime of joy, tedium and wonder concentrated into 24 hours. For Krissy, her biggest races are touchstones in her life, a moment to process life's ups and downs. The next episode of…
