The North Face - Our Story

Kit DesLauriers on the summit of the 2006 Everest Summit & Ski Expedition. Then became first person to ski from seven summits and first woman to ski from Everest Summit.
Photo: ŠJimmy Chin

40 YEARS OF INNOVATION AND EXPLORATION

We are named for the coldest, most unforgiving side of a mountain. We have helped explorers reach the most unfathomable heights of the Himalayas. But The North Face legend begins, ironically, on a beach. More precisely, San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood, at an altitude of only 150 feet above sea level. It was here in 1966 that two hiking enthusiasts resolved to follow their passions and founded a small mountaineering retail store.

Soon thereafter, that little shop became known as The North Face, a retailer of high-performance climbing and backpacking equipment. In 1968, The North Face moved to the other side of San Francisco Bay, to the unbridled possibilities of the Berkeley area, and began designing and manufacturing its own brand of technical mountaineering apparel and equipment.

Through the 1970s, The North Face brand cherished a following amongst avid outdoor athletes and began sponsoring expeditions to some of the most far-flung, still largely untouched corners of the globe. This launched a proud tradition which continues in full force today and constantly reinforces The North Face mantra, Never Stop Exploring™.

By the early 1980s, The North Face was taking exploration to the outer limits of the ski world, adding extreme skiwear to the product offering. These were the days of pastels, neons, hair dye, and mohawks; they laid the groundwork for today’s free-spirited snowsports athletes. By the end of the decade, The North Face became the only supplier in the United States to offer a comprehensive collection of high-performance outerwear, skiwear, sleeping bags, packs and tents.

The 1990s ushered in an era during which The North Face further broadened the outdoor world it helps athletes to explore. The decade saw our debut in the sportswear market with the launch of TekwareŽ, an innovative collection designed to provide rock climbers, backpackers, hikers, trail runners, and outdoor enthusiasts with the ultimate fit and function. The North Face half dome logo began to appear with greater regularity on ultramarathon courses, high-country trails, and big walls. And, as the calendar clicked toward a new millennium, The North Face launched its own line of trekking and trail-running shoes to ultimately address the head-to-toe needs of those always striving for the next horizon.

Now, more than 40 years after its humble grand opening, The North Face delivers an extensive line of performance apparel, equipment, and footwear. We push the boundaries of innovation so that you can push the boundaries of exploration. We remain deeply proud to be the first choice of the world's most accomplished climbers, mountaineers, extreme skiers, snowboarders, endurance runners, and explorers.

There’s little telling what the next 40 years hold for us. However, there is one bedrock certainty: The North Face will maintain an unwavering commitment to pushing the limits of design, so that you can push your limits outdoors. Never Stop Exploring™.

Two outdoor enthusiasts start The North Face, a small retail and mail order operation in San Francisco's North Beach area.

The North Face begins designing and manufacturing its own equipment, accomplishing much of the sewing in the back of the already crowded store.

Sierra Parka introduced, later an Outerwear classic.
Arctic Institute of North America Altitude Study, Mt. Logan (elev. 17,800'), Yukon Territory, Canada. Tom Lyman and others.

The North Face opens its own factory in Berkeley, CA, and is often serenaded by Credence Clearwater Revival, rehearsing in the adjoining space.
Ruthsac pack introduced, a first step in the evolution of internal frame packs.

Treks to Everest Base Camp, Nepal. Lute Jerstad and Tenzing Norgay.

Brooks Range Ski Traverse, Alaska. A pre-pipeline ski traverse of 30 days and 300 miles, following the Koyukuk and Itkillik Rivers. Ned Gillette, Wayne Merry, Jack Miller and Jed Williamson.
Aquarian Wall, El Capitan, Yosemite, CA. First Ascent. Jim Bridwell and Kim Schmitz.

3000 Mile Trek, Menton, France to Katerini, Greece. Craig Evans.

Morning Glory tent introduced. Due to its size, strength and stability, it became the quintessential expedition base camp tent in the mid-1970's.
Iditarod Trail Race, Dogsled race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. The longest, coldest race in the world. Joe Redington, Jr. and Dave Olson.

Oval Intention tent introduced. The first lightweight, geodesic tent, and the first to incorporate flexible aluminum poles.
The North Face inaugurates the Ice-9 Award, a prize for the entity contributing most to the ecological destruction of the Earth. 1975's award recipient: the Atomic Energy Commission (later the Nuclear Regulatory Commission).
Patagonia Canals Expedition, Chile. 583 kilometer exploration of the Patagonia fiords via raft. First Ascent of Gran Campo Nevado. Jack Miller, William Rodamor and Peter Bruchhausen.

Bigfoot sleeping bag introduced, using Polarguard® shingle construction.
Back Magic pack introduced. Offers an innovative approach to rigid frame pack design.
Mt. Hayes West Face (elev. 14,704'), Alaska. First Ascent. Fred Beckey, Doug McCarty, Brian Leo and George Ochenski.
The America Bi-Centennial Everest Expedition (elev. 29,035'), Nepal. Successful ascent via the South Col route. Arlene Blum, Chris Chandler, Dee Groutch, Dan Emmett, Bob Kormach, Frank Morgan, Rick Ridgeway, Barbara Roach, Gerry Roach, Joe Reinhart and Phil Thrimble.
Alaska Passages Expedition, Alaska. Kayaking in remote Glacier Bay and Northeast Wildlife Refuge. Ned Gillette.

El Mocho Southwest Buttress and Moho Rojo West Peak, Patagonia, Argentina. Two successful first ascents. Jim Bridwell and Robert Straswecki.
Hauna Potosi (elev. 19,969'), Bolivia. First Ascent. Jim Bridwell and Brian Hall.

VE-24 tent introduced. Direct descendant of the Oval Intention, and the perfect embodiment of R. Buckminster Fuller's theory of sphericity incorporating "maximum efficiency with minimum materials." This tent and its relatives are still mainstays of expeditions.
American Women's Himalayan Expedition, Annapurna I (elev. 26,504'), Nepal. First American Himalayan Expedition led by women. The expedition was immortalized in the book Annapurna - A Woman's Place. Arlene Blum, Irene Beardsley, Vera Komarkova, Margi Rusmore, Alison Chadwick-Onyszkiewicz, Christy Tews, Piro Kramar, Joan Firey, Annie Whitehouse, Marie Ashton Dyanna Taylor, Vera Watson and Liz Klobusicky-Mailaender.
Forbidden Plateau, Antarctica. Bev Johnson, Mike Hoover, Mike Graber and Rick Ridgeway.

Southern Cross Expedition, New Zealand. Ski traverse of New Zealand's Southern Alps. Ned Gillete, Jan Reynolds, Alan Bard, and Tom Carter.
Kichatna Spire - Northwest Face, Alaska. First Ascent. Jim Bridwell and Andy Embick.
Pik Kommunizma Expedition (elev. 26,504'), Tadzhikistan, USSR. Dee Crotch, Barbara Euser, Jenny Griffith, Al Gunter (TNF Sales Rep.), Steve Pomerance, Bill Seale, Bille Usherwood and Dana Usherwood.
Too Tyred Tour. Around the world, six-year, 4,000-mile bicycle odyssey. Tim Young, Peter Wuerslin and Steven Williams.

Karakoram Himalaya Traverse, Pakistan. 300-mile winter ski crossing of the Karakoram Region. Galen Rowell, Ned Gillette, Kim Schmitz and Dan Asay.
American Friendship Expedition, Muztagata (elev. 24,757'), China. First ski descent of Muztagata. Galen Rowell, Ned Gillette, Jan Reynolds and Dick Dorworth.
Greenland Ski Traverse, Greenland. Bev Johnson and others.
Annapurna IV Expedition (elev. 24,688'). At the time, the highest successful winter (December through January) ascent. Adrian and Alan Burgess, Roger Marshall and others.

Everest Grand Circle Expedition, Nepal and Tibet. First circumabulation of Everest; trekking, skiing, and mountaineering. First American winter ascent of Pumori (elev. 23,422'). Immortalized in the book Everest Grand Circle. Ned Gillette, Jan Reynolds, Jim Bridwell, Steve McKinney, Craig Calonica and Rick Barker.
Trans-Globe Expedition - around the world. First circumnavigation of the world via the North and South Poles. Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Bev Johnson, Mike Hoover and others.
Everest Medical Research Expedition, Nepal. Successful ascent via the South Col by climbers and scientists studying the effects of altitude on human physiology. Peter Hackett, John West, John Evans, Jeff Lowe, Glen Porzak, Mike Weiss, Chris Pizzo, Chris Kopczynski and Brownie Schoene.
Cordillera Blanca, Andes, Peru. New routes on San Juan, and Southeast face of Ranra Palca. Mayfield also soloed the Shield Route on Huascaran. Peter Mayfield, David Diegelman, August Kline, Kurt Rieder and Charlie Schreck - "Rock punks in the Andes."

Denali Medical Research Project, Alaska. Peter Hackett, Rob Roach and Howard Donner.
Moose's Tooth East Face (elev. 10,355'), Alaska. First ascent of a new route. One of the hardest routes in Alaska, this route remains unrepeated. Jim Bridwell and Mugs Stump.

Extreme® Gear introduced. First ski apparel line designed for the extreme and technical user.
Celestial Peak Expedition (elev. 17,600'), Szechuan Province, China. First Ascent, first grade 6 rock climb in China. Al Steck, Eric Perlman, Bill Lahr, Brock Wagstaff, Bob Scheider and others.
Women's Trikora Expedition (elev. 15,585') Papua, New Guinea. Kayaking and trekking in Irian Jaya and New Guinea, with ascent of Mt. Trikora. Bev Johnson and others. Filmed by Bev Johnson.
Utah Ski McKinley Expedition (elev. 20,320'), Alaska. Successful climb, but unsuccessful ski descent of Wickersham Wall. Rick Wyatt, Chris Noble and others.
German-American Everest Expedition (elev. 29,035'), Nepal. Successful climb of the Southeast Face. Larry Nielson became the first American to summit Everest without oxygen. Phil Ershler, David Breshears, Gary Neptune, Jim States, Peter Jamieson, Larry Nielson, Dick Bass and Frank Wells.
Colorado Makalu Expedition (elev. 27,825'), Nepal. Unsuccessful attempt of the Southeast ridge without oxygen. Pete Athans, Renny Jackson and others.

Iditarod Trail Race, Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. Sponsored annually by The North Face, 1984-1989. Susan Bucher, multiple winner.
5,000 Mile Dogsled Odyssey, Duluth, Minnesota to Point Barrow, Alaska. Will Steger and others. December 1984 to January 1985.
Aconcagua Ski Descent (elev. 22,834'), Argentina. First telemark ski descent. Ned Gillette, Pete Patterson and others.
Denali Ski Descent, Alaska. Jim Bridwell and Steve McKinney.
American Xixabangma Expedition (elev. 26,290'), Tibet. Successful ascent via Northeast Face. Mark Jenkins, Jerry Clayton and others.
American Pamir Expedition, USSR. A 2,700-mile overland journey with ascents of the North Ridge of Peak of the 19th Congress (elev. 19,400') and Pik Lenin (elev. 23,400'). Don McIntyre and others.

Mountain Jacket introduced. Expedition classic and genesis of an entire apparel system.
North Face Classics, Alps. Successful ascent in one season of six renowned Alpine north faces: the Eiger, Matterhorn, Walker Spur of the Grands Jorasses, Petit Dru, Piz Badile, Cima Grande di Lavaredo. Eric Perlman with Mark Twight, Bill Anderson and Dean Hobbs.
Mountains of the Moon, Zaire and Uganda. Solo climbing and skiing in the Ruwenzori Mountains. Ned Gillette.
Norwegian Everest Expedition (elev. 29,035'), Nepal. Bonnington became the oldest man to summit Everest, only to be surpassed nine days later by team member Dick Bass. Arne Naess, Chris Bonington, Dick Bass and others.
Baffin Island, Canada. Several attempts and successful ascents of large walls in remote region of arctic Canada. Earl Redfern and others.
Everest West Ridge Expedition (elev. 29,035'), Nepal. Unsuccessful. Jim Bridwell, Dave Saas, Pete Athans and others.

Silver Strand, Yosemite, CA. First solo ascent of this frozen waterfall route. Peter Mayfield.
International Polar Expedition, North Pole. 550-mile, unsupported dogsled expedition to the North Pole. Will Steger, Paul Schurke and others.
Gasherbrum IV, (elev. 26,000') Karakoram, Pakistan. First ascent of northwest ridge. Greg Child, Tim Macartney Snape, Tom Hargis.

Snow Leopard pack introduced, featuring an original padded "wing" suspension system design that provided unprecedented stability and comfort.
Tadpole tent introduced. The winner of industrial design awards. Modified geodesic design balances stability and usable space with minimal materials.
Snowbird/The North Face Everest Expedition (elev. 29,035'), Nepal. Unsuccessful attempt of the South Col route. The North Face Sales Manager Sally McCoy climbed to 26,000 ft. Pete Athans, Karen Fellerhoff, Pete Whittaker, Chris Noble, Mary Kay Brewster, Renny Jackson, Robert Link, Sally McCoy, Kelly Rhoads, Marjie Noble and others.
International K-2 Expedition (elev. 28,268'), Pakistan. Doug Scott, Steve Swenson, Phil Ershler, Greg Child and others.

Expedition System™ introduced. The first comprehensive, integrated apparel system - from the base layer to insulating layers to wind and rain proof shells - designed to increase comfort and performance.
Voyage to Antarctica, Drake's Passage. Crossing of Drake's Passage from Chile to Antarctica by rowboat. Ned Gillete, Mark Eichenberger, Fred Trombly and Jay Morrison.
First Free Ascent of Salathe Wall, El Capitan, Yosemite, CA. First free-climb of this "unclimbable" 2,700 foot route, including four pitches of 5.13, seven of 5.12. Todd Skinner and Paul Piana.
Cerro Stanhardt and Des Mochada Patagonia, Argentina. Jim Bridwell, Jay Smith and others.
Mt. Buka Daban (approx. elev. 22,000'), Kun Lun Mountains, Tibet. Unsuccessful first attempt by Westerners of the highest peak in the Quing Hai Province, 550 miles north of Lhasa. Located by the team via satellite map. Eric Perlman, Phil Peralta-Ramos and Carl Gerdes.
Polar Challenge, North Pole. Helen Thayer is the first woman to make a solo journey to either pole.

The North Face co-founds the Outdoor Industry Conservation Alliance for the benefit of specific environmental causes.
Trans-Antarctic Expedition, Antarctica. First unmechanized crossing (by dogsled) of the Antarctic continent. 4,000 mile, seven months. Will Steger, Jean Louis Etienne, Victor Boyarsky, Geoff Somers, Keizo Funatsu and Qin Dahe.
Siberian Passage, USSR. Joint American-Russian bicycle trek across the USSR. Mark Jenkins, Carl Jones, Peggy Luce, Tom Freisem and others.
Hidden Himalaya Expedition, Nepal and Tibet. Mountaineering in a remote region of the Himalaya; Successful ascent of Gurla Mandata. Net Gillette, Susie Patterson and Dave Bingham.
Expedicio Feminina Cho Oyu (elev. 26, 907'), Nepal. Magda King led the first all-female team to attempt Cho Oyu. King and Ang Phuri Sherpa summitted.
Nepalese-American Ohmi Kangri Expedition (elev. 22, 405'), Nepal. A team of seven Americans and three Sherpas; three summitted. First Americans to climb in the region. Despite the official altitude designation of 22, 405', the team's altimeter recorded 22,850'. Rick Richards, Sangya Dorje and others.
Ellesworth Mountains, Antarctica. Climbing and drilling for core samples as part of a geological research study of fission track dating. Mugs Stump completed the first ascent of the West Face of Mt. Tyre (8,000'), perhaps the tallest unclimbed face in the world at that time. "All self-contained, Alpine-style climbs: no support teams, no dogs, no chickens or D-9 cats." Mugs Stump, Paul Fitzgerald, Ed Stump and Rob Hall.
Everest International Expedition (elev. 29,035'), Nepal. Successful and very swift ascent via the South Col. Climbing time: 3 days, 171/2 hours. Adrian Burgess, Alan Burges, Peter Athans, Karen Fellerhoff, Roddy MacKenzie and others.
Trango Tower, Pakistan. Mark Wilford and Greg Child attempt first ascent of northeast face. They reach 19,000 feet in constant storms and retreat after 13 days on the wall.

K-2 North Ridge Expedition (elev. 28, 268'), China. Successful ascent of K-2's North Ridge without oxygen by Greg Child, Steve Swenson, Greg Mortimer and Phil Ershler. Lyle Closs, Peter Keustner and Margaret Werner did not summit.
Central Tower of Paine (elev. 28, 741'), Patagonia. First successful ascent of the extremely technical NW Edge Route after 23 days of continuous storms and six attempts. Jay Smith and Scott Cosgrove.
Makalu West Pillar Expedition (elev., 27, 825'), Nepal. Successful ascent of technical 10,000-foot West Pillar. Kitty Calhoun became the first woman to summit this peak, establishing her as the most experienced female Himalayan climber in the US at the time. Kitty Calhoun, Colin Grissom, John Culberson, Cathy Cosley, Mark Houson and John Schutt.

No-Hitch-Pitch™ tent pitching system introduced. Integral poles provide unprecedented ease in tent pitching.
SteepTech™ technical ski apparel introduced. Designed by North Face athlete Scot Schmidt, "steep technician."
Sherpa Everest Expedition (elev. 29, 035'), Nepal. First all-Sherpa ascent of Everest. Team members Asp, Temba and Sonam Dendu summitted via the South Col Route.
The Challenge of Half Dome, Yosemite, California. First ascent of the Half Dome by a disabled climber. Paraplegic climber Mark Wellman and partner Mike Corbett completed the Tis-sa-Ack route.
Denali Snowboard Descent (elev. 20,320'), Alaska. Fist Snowboard descent of North America's highest peak. Tom Burt and Jim Zellers.
Niger River Expedition, Africa. First "source to sea" descent, 2,600miles, through five countries and 45 tribal regions. Mark Jenkins, Jon Haines, Mike Moe and Rick Smith.

Radial Baffle Construction of down sleeping bags introduced. The most significant development in down sleeping bag construction in 30 years.
West Face Cerro Torre, Patagonia. Successful ascent. Jon Krakauer said that it "Just may be the coolest climb on the planet." Jon Krakauer and Dan Cauthorn.
Nameless Tower (elev. 20, 400'), Trango Towers, Karakoram, Pakistan. First ascent of a new route on the South Face. The route was called "Run for Cover" due to massive rock fall that occurred during the climb. Greg Child and Mark Wilford.
Shisha Pangma 8,000m (elev. 26, 790'), Tibet. Successful Alpine-style ascent with team consisting of Magda King and one Sherpa. King is now one of a handful of women to summit two 8,000-meter peaks.

Polarguard® HV Insulation introduced in TNF sleeping bags.
East-West Express, Central Asia. 5,000-mile trek via camel caravan across China and the Central Asian republics. Retraced the route of the ancient Silk Road. Ned Gillette and Susie Patterson.
Climb for the Cure, Mt. McKinley (elev. 20, 320'), Alaska. Team of eight students from Princeton University climbed the West Buttress as a fundraising project benefiting AIDS awareness.
Amazon Research Expedition, Brazil. Helen and Bill Thayer journeyed 1,000-miles by foot and canoe through the Amazon region of Brazil. The Thayers researched scientific and medicinal uses of rare plants.
Hydrenaline™ fabric introduced.

Kangshung Face Everest (elev. 29,035'), Tibet. Unsuccessful summit attempt. Alex Lowe, Sandy Pittman.
K2 Expedition, Pakistan (elev. 28,235')
Sagamartha Environmental Expedition, Nepal. 2000 lb. trash clean up.
Wall of Shadows, Mt. Hunter, Alaska. First Ascent of this 5000 foot ice route, the hardest route ever done on Hunter. First use of a Portaledge on an ice wall and first use of the Kichatna suit. Greg Child, Michael Kennedy.
Kichatna Jacket introduced using 3-ply Gore-Tex™

Everest Challenge Expedition (elev. 29,035'), North side of Everest, Tibet. Tom Whittaker, a below the knee amputee, reaches 8300 meters on north ridge. His partner, Greg Child, reaches the summit. Expedition nicknamed "One foot on Everest." First test of TNF's Himalayan suit to the top of Everest.
Mt. Bogda Feng, Tianshan Mountain Range, Ski Mountaineering, China (elev. 18,000')
Americans on Everest, Nepal (elev. 29,035')
American Twin Peaks: Shisha Pangma (elev. 26,286'), Cho Oyo (elev. 26, 975') Nepal
VaporWick™ fabric introduced to the Tekware® line. A propriety fabric developed with with Polartec® that is quick drying and lightweight.
Ak-Su Region of Kirgisiztan. TNF climbing team makes numerous first ascents of rock routes in this big wall paradise. Greg Child, Lynn Hill, Alex Lowe, Conrad Anker, Jay Smith, Kitty Calhoun, and Dan Osman.

Thalay Sagar, North Face, India. Unsuccessful attempt. Jay Smith and Kitty Calhoun.
Polar Sun Spire, "The Great and Secret Show",Baffin Island, Northwest Territories, Canada. First Ascent (VII 5.11 A4 WI3). One of the biggest big walls on earth, the team lived in portaledges for over 30 days. Mark Synnott, Jeff Chapman and Warren Hollinger.
Shipton Spire (elev. 19,800 ft.), Pakistan. First ascent. Complete a 4,000-foot big wall route called "Baltese Falcon." Documentary on National Geographic. Greg Child, Greg Foweraker, Chuck Boyd.
TNF aquired A5 Adventures, Inc., adding portaledges and big wall gear to the product line.
The Mountain Guide Jacket is introduced to the outerwear line.
Search and Rescue collection is introduced.
Patrol Pack introduced.
The North Face launches its Tekware® line, entering the sportswear market.
The North Face launches its glove collection.

Shipton Spire, "Ship o' Fools", Pakistan. Successful 25 day First Ascent (VII 5.11 A2 WI6). Jared Ogden and Mark Synnott.
Middle Triple Peak, West Face, Katchatna Spires, Alaska. Successful First Ascent (5.10 A4). Jay Smith, Kitty Calhoun, Steve Gerberding and Dan Osman.
Rakenven, Queen Maud Land, Antarctica. Numerous successful first ascents on the granite spires of Antarctica. Story documented in National Geographic magazine. Alex Lowe, Conrad Anker, Jon Krakauer and Gordon Wiltsie.
Latok II, Southwest Face "Tsering Monsong", Pakistan. Successful First Ascent on mixed rock and ice. Thomas Huber, Conrad Anker and Alexander Huber.

Sail Peak, Baffin Island, Northwest Territories, Canada. First Ascent. Expedition filmed for National Geographic Explorer series and an article appeared in National Geographic magazine. Greg Child, Alex Lowe, Jared Ogden and Mark Synnott.
Jantugan, East Ridge Couloir, Adylso Valley, Caucuses, Russia. First ski descent. Rob DesLauriers, Matt Herriger, Brian O'Neil and John Falkner.
Mount Everest Challenge, Nepal (elev. 29,028'). Tom Whitaker, a below-the-knee amputee, succeeds in summiting Everest, climbing the southeast ridge with only one foot.
Tham Long Caving Expedition, Thailand. First decent into the deepest known cave in Thailand. Mark Cosslett, Scott Backes and Jamie Tipton.
Hidden Spires Expedition, Karakoram, Pakistan. Conrad Anker, Peter Croft and Galen Rowell.
Climb for the Cure, Mt. McKinley, Alaska (elev. 20,230'). Nancy Noble and a team of breast cancer survivors raised awareness of breast cancer research.
Andes Steep Descent, Peru. Numerous first descents. Stephen Koch, Hans Saari, Jason Schultz and Ptor Spicenieks.
Baffin Island, Mt. Thor, Northwest Territories, Canada. First Solo Ascent of Midgard Serpent (VI 5.9 A5). Jason "Singer" Smith.
Southern Chilean Traverse, Chile. A successful 60km traverse over largely unexplored terrain. Michael Brown, Chris Haaland, David Kashinski, Mark Howe, Stephen Linaweaver and Pablo Sandor.
TNF acquires La Sportiva, the leading manufacturer of climbing, approach, hiking and mountaineering footwear.
A5 introduces super tough haulbags.
Innovative new Heat Trap Collar baffle added to sleeping bags.
The North Face introduces the Soloist Bivy.

Altai Ski and Snowboard Expedition, Mount Belukha, Siberia. First telemark and snowboard decent of Mount Belukha. Ace Kvale, Rob DesLauries, John Falkner, Scot Schmidt, Kit Kazenbach, Kasha Rigby and Jim Zellers.
Northwest Passage - Solo via sea kayak, Northwest Territories, Canada. Jon Waterman successfully completed a three year quest to navigate the Northwest passage solo.
Everest Millennium Expedition (elev. 29,028'), Nepal. Successfully established the new height of Mount Everest. Pete Athens, Bill Crouse and Charles Corefield.
Trango Tower, Northwest Face (elev. 20,618'), Pakistan. Successful new route on the Northwest face. Alex Lowe, Mark Synnott and Jared Ogden.
Gasherbrum IV, Southwest Ridge, Pakistan. Attempted a new route on the unclimbed Southwest Ridge. Charlie Mace, Steve Swenson, Steve House and Andy DeKlerk.
Shaksgam Valley Region, China. First ascent. Team explores glaciers and peaks never visited by climbers. Quokka sports broadcasts the expedition on-line. Greg Child, John Climaco, Kurt Diemberger.
Arunachal Pradesh, India. Expedition explores peaks and tribal areas in northeast India never before visited by Westerners. Greg Child, Doug Scott.
PacLite™ fabric introduced. Ama Dablam and Devil's Thumb Jackets.

Argentine Patagonia Expedition
Greenland Expedition
Kamchatka Expedition
Devil's Thumbnail Expedition
Muli Expedition
Jannu Expedition

Sentinel Range Expedition
Patagonia Exploration Expedition
Antarctic Peninsula Expedition
A Woman's Ski Descent of Hanuman Tiba
Makalu Expedition
Alaska Range Expedition
Bolivia Snowboard Expedition
Mount Waddington Expedition
Karakoram: K7 Expedition
Kitchatna Spire: As Good As It Gets Expedition
Intelligent Garment Technology introduced with the Met5 Jacket.

Mt. Combatant Expedition. To climb new routes on Mt. Combatant.
All-Women Mongolia Expedition. To climb and make first ski descents of the five "holy" peaks in the Tavan Bogd, the highest range of peaks in Mongolia.
Tibetan Borderlands Expedition. Local Tibetans in the shops of Litang. Sichuan Province, China.
Mt. Dickey Expedition
South Georgia Beyond Endurance Expedition. To attempt to climb, then descend some of the Island's highest peaks.
Cho Oyu Expedition. To ski and snowboard via the original route first conquered by an Austrian team in 1954.

Nuptse, Nepal Expedition. Damian and Willie Benegas attempt to climb a new route on the North Face of Nuptse.
Mt. Mercedario Expedition. The First Ski Descent of the SW face of Cerro Mercedario.
Infusion fabric introduced with the Ama Dablam Stretch Infusion Jacket and Pant (and more!).