San Leandro, CA – The North Face this week launched a 14-city KNOW Boundaries Snow Safety Tour, which partners top athletes, including, Ian McIntosh, Dana Flahr, Lucas Debari and Conrad Anker, with The North Face and REI stores around the country to provide valuable insight on the knowledge, skills and training required for safe backcountry travel.
“Over the years, we’ve seen that backcountry exploration in the winter months has grown in popularity, and when you’re exploring new zones, having the right gear is essential. But understanding how far you can push the limits can mean the difference between coming home safely or not,” said Aaron Carpenter, vice president of marketing for The North Face. “Our mission is to provide insight on how to stay safe when heading off the beaten path and into the backcountry.”
The North Face also partnered with Teton Gravity Research (TGR) to create the video series. The five-part KNOW Boundaries video series is designed to raise awareness about snow safety and the real dangers of avalanches and features TGR Lead Guide Kent Scheler and The North Face athletes, including Sage Cattabriga-Alosa, Mark Carter, Xavier De Le Rue and Jimmy Chin, as they educate viewers about various aspects of snow and avalanche safety. The three- to five-minute videos focus on topics including weather, snowpack, terrain selection and red flags of the backcountry, as well as personal tips from the professionals who have first-hand avalanche experience.
“There are a lot of things you can do to keep yourself out of an avalanche. Having just survived one, I can tell you that you really don’t want to be caught in one, because you’re no longer in control at that point,” said Chin, The North Face skier and mountaineer who survived a 1,000-foot slide in April 2011. “The best advice I can give is to take all the variables that are within your control to avoid an avalanche.”
For years, The North Face has incorporated Recco avalanche rescue reflectors into its line of innovative outerwear products to support safe snow sports activities, as featured in this year’s new Enzo Jacket ($449 USD) and the Powder Guide Vest ($189). Originally designed to meet the demands of hard working ski patrollers, the Powder Guide Vest enables skiers and snowboarders to carry all of the necessary essentials for sidecountry excursions without the need for a pack. The Powder Guide Vest fits over the wearer’s shell and features a collection of purpose-built carrying systems and pockets that provide secure and balanced weight distribution for avalanche gear and skis or a snowboard.
Also new for this fall is a “Snow Safety Checklist” inner label that appears on select Summit Series and Cryptic snow sports gear from The North Face. The icon-based label reminds consumers what to bring and how to prepare before heading into the backcountry. Icons include a map or compass, food and water, first aid kit, shovel, probe, fire, avalanche beacon, multi-use tool, headlamp or flashlight, extra layers, an emergency blanket and communication (tell a friend of your plans).
For more information about snow safety, visit www.thenorthface.com/knowboundaries to watch the KNOW Boundaries safety videos. Visit www.avalanche.org for more details on an avalanche rescue clinic near you.