I am fresh of an all-to-short 36-hour trip to Bellevue, Washington, but few journeys have left me more excited. It’s an absolute honour to officially announce that I’ve teamed up with Eddie Bauer on a four-month initiative to show you how their gear can help you #LiveYourAdventure.
During the 2-day summit, I joined nine other adventurers, photographers, and fashion bloggers at the Eddie Bauer headquarters. We learned the company’s founder – Eddie Bauer was a badass fisherman and his wife was a crack shot with a 12-guage – and we learned about its history – it patented the first downfill jacket in North America.
We also learned plenty about its clothing and gear, too, and let me state this clearly: Eddie Bauer is not your dad’s store. Eddie Bauer makes kickass equipment for the most hardcore mountain adventures. With the cold weather making it’s annual return to the Canadian Rockies, I am more than happy to start putting their gear through its paces.
A Guide-Driven Company with Guide-Driven Gear
The most surprising – and definitely the most awesome – thing I learned during our time at Eddie Bauer’s headquarters came from the lead product developer. Their First Ascent lineup, which carries the slogan “Guide Built. Guide Trusted.” is neither an exaggeration nor a marketing ploy. It’s a very accurate statement of their equipment.
Anything developed for the First Ascent line is built with input from ACMG or AMGA guides, but that is just phase one of bringing a product to market. Once the gear is built, the guides test it thoroughly. They haul it up mountain summits, thrash it lap after lap while heliskiing or wear it on mountain traverses. They use it until they approve it.
Get this – it takes the guides’ sign off before Eddie Bauer will consider selling it.
The CEO can’t push things through. The designers have no say. The PR guys take a backseat. Only mountain guides can approve a First Ascent product.
Follow My Adventure and Live Your Adventure
For the next few months, I’ll be putting my new Eddie Bauer gear through its paces. I plan on tackling a few ambitious adventures both in Canada and beyond. The nine other ambassadors will be doing the same, all in their unique way, too, and we want you to show us how you live your adventure. Make sure to follow these feeds and use these hashtags:
Eddie Bauer – Facebook | Instagram | Steller
Hashtags: #LiveYourAdventure | #OuterWhere
