Inside
Patagonia.
Patagonia began life in 1973, a thousand feet up, clinging to the side
of El Capitan.
It was there that Patagonia founder, Yvon Chouinard, noticed the
once-pristine face of the mountain was being pockmarked by
thousands of steel pitons being driven into it – the very same steel
pitons he was manufacturing in his tin shed in Ventura. Here was a
mountain eternal and grand that had stood staunch for 100 million
years, a mountain that should last the best part of forever, being
flaked away into gravel. The symbolism of the moment set Yvon upon
a lifelong mission to prove business can indeed have a simpatico
relationship with the natural world.
In the years since, Patagonia has evolved into an enterprise with a
wholly unique philosophy and a unique way of doing business. Today
Patagonia is still up on the mountain, but also lives in the oceans
and forests, on trails and beaches, all the places where people seek
adventure and discovery.
Patagonia gear is designed for exploring, embracing and challenging
the frontiers. It’s gear designed for simplicity and utility, gear designed
to last, and gear accountable to the environment it’s made for.
The love of a wild and beautiful world comes with an obligation to
preserve its wilderness and beauty, and Patagonia is committed to
this. It always has been. We donate our time, energy and 1% of all
sales to like-minded, grassroots environmental groups who are out
there working to keep the natural wonder in the world.
“Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business
to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis”
- Patagonia’s mission statement
Cover photo: Given enough snow, this lava flow becomes a playground of possibilities. Josh Dirksen in the Three Sister Wilderness backcountry, Oregon. Tyler Roemer
Photo above: Kye Petersen skis with signature raw finesse through the forgiving pillows of Shirakawa-go, Japan. Garrett Grove