Sunday, July 8, 2007

Welcome to the Patagonia Community

Greetings from the Patagonia Community (referred to as Pat Com hereafter). This blog is for all things Patagonia. I have been a fan of Patagonia products for about 10 years now. I'm a firm believer in the old saying that I'm "too poor to buy cheap." I would rather purchase a great jacket that costs a little more and will last me 15 years than pay less for something of inferior quality and have to spend more on a new one after a short period of time. To me, there aren't many companies that compare to Patagonia for products that are of superior quality and thoroughly researched. Do I take my Patagonia jacket to the ends of the earth in search of the steepest face to scale? No, but it's sure nice to know that if it will stand up to the most extreme conditions the earth has to offer, it will certainly perform beautifully when there'a heavy downpour in my neighborhood. Beyond that, there is also the fact that Patagonia's hallmark is creating products that are eco-friendly and encouraging the consumer to consider the environment. It's difficult to argue with a company that creates a first-rate product AND has a conscience.

I know that Patagonia has a fiercely loyal following (just check Patagonia jacket prices on eBay) and there are many people that have been buying Patagonia for decades and who are now buying it for their own children. This blog is to discuss my own experiences with Patagonia products as well as to become a community for those who want to share their own stories or even ask questions of Pat Com about specific items. And who knows, I'll see if I can throw in some surprises every now and then too (challenge number one for myself: could I somehow find a way to snag an interview with Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard himself?).

So, welcome to the Patagonia Community and I hope you'll bookmark us, spread the word with other Patagonia supporters and even lend your comments when you feel compelled. Thanks for reading.

Mac, the Patagonia Community Moderator

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8 Comments:

Blogger Erick said...

I've never owned any Patagonia products but I know they have a great reputation. In general, is Patagonia's stuff better than REI's? About equal?

Jul 18, 2007, 1:29:00 AM  
Blogger hoon said...

nice little blog. talk to me about the wetsuits.

Jul 19, 2007, 1:47:00 PM  
Blogger Patagonia Community said...

hoon,
Thanks for the comment. In response, I've posted an entry about the Patagonia Wetsuit. It may not be any new information for you, but just in case it is, enjoy.

Jul 20, 2007, 2:58:00 PM  
Blogger Patagonia Community said...

squidman,
You bring up an important question. Is Patagonia stuff actually of better quality than other brands such as REI? Does Patagonia cost more because their technology and fabrics are superior? Or does that extra money just go into the environmental and political causes that the company supports? It's a worthy question and I hope to discuss that more in this blog in the future. Thanks for the comment.

Jul 20, 2007, 3:03:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mac,
I saw your post at All Climbing Blog after my post about Alping Speed Climbing.
Have you heard about speed climbing in the Pacific Northwest, like Rainier, Shasta, Hood, Adams, maybe others? Lots of information and press to sift through - but, it boils down to a distinguished current speed climber in Oregon, Dan Howitt who holds all OFFICIAL records on EACH peak, amazing! Official, that’s right, timed by people like Oregon Peak Adventures, Climb Max Mountaineering, Oregon Army Natiional Guard and on and on. Howitt’s times are amazing, 1:56min official ascent of Hood from the parking lot at Timberline Lodge! Done with a dog, that would slow you down tons! Sub 5hr ascent of Rainier! From the parking lot, 9+ miles 9000+ feet vertical to the summit! Beats the prior record of Jim Whittaker (Everest Legend) by 20 minutes, Jim’s was OFFICIAL too! Awesome guys! Timed by Climb Max people, Jacob Kamermeyer, Brogan Adams, I’ve met both.

I’d like to email Dan if I knew how to discuss how he trained, how he did so much in so little time, all those records on those great peaks, dangerous peaks, how he decided on timers and as I heard he paid a couple thousand of dollars total between 2003-4. On the internet there are a lot of his summit photos and some start photos taken by his timers. Pretty cool.

Jul 20, 2007, 9:43:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

There are his summit and start photos here and there on the Internet.
http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_topic.php?id_rubrique=17&url='http%3A//forums.outdoors-magazine.com/viewtopic.php%3Fp%3D32717'

http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_topic.php?id_rubrique=17&url='http%3A//forums.outdoors-magazine.com/viewtopic.php%3Fp%3D32717'

I’d like to email Dan to discuss how he trained - how he did so much in so little time - all those records on those great peaks, dangerous peaks - how he decided on timers and as I heard he paid a couple thousand of dollars total between 2003-4. On the internet there are a lot of his summit photos and some start photos taken by his timers. Pretty cool.
Tina

Jul 20, 2007, 9:46:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dan Howitt is very talented on those mountains. And very well known for his amazing records. And yes official. He's equally well known for the official aspect. Most in the climbing community know Howitt holds all the true records on Rainier, Shasta, Adams, and Hood, the great 4 glaciated volcanoes.

Mt Hood in 1:56 minutes from Timberline Lodge to the summit. Timed by Climb Max Mountaineering's Jacob Kammermeyer and Charlee Gribbon -- third party climbers paid to do professional timing.

Mt. Adams in 2:39 minutes from the lower trail (Round the Mountain Trail) to the summit. Timed by Officer William Smith and his Oregon Army National Guard support group of two, Smith lives in Trout Lake, WA and is well known at the Adams Wilderness Station.

Mt. Shasta in 4:14 minutes from the Northgate parking lot to the summit. Timed by Shasta Mountain Guides Ned Bair and Jonathan Earle.

Mt. Rainier in 4:58 from the Paradise parking lot to the summit. Timed by Climb Max Mountaineering's Brogan Adams and Ft. Lewis Army Ranger Carl Poland.

Jul 21, 2007, 11:17:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

patagoniacommunity said...

Thanks for the comment. In response, I've posted an entry about the Patagonia Wetsuit. It may not be any new information for you, but just in case it is, enjoy.
---------
Very cool, amazing quality.

Jul 29, 2007, 12:13:00 PM  

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