A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world.
Billionaire founder of outdoor brand Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard, has just done something quite amazing. As his company approaches 50 years of age, he’s decided to give it away.
From now on, Patagonia will continue to be a profit making enterprise, but earnings that don’t go back into the business will be given to a nonprofit called the Holdfast Collective, who will use it to fight the climate crisis.
The rest of Patagonia’s stock and decision making will go to a trust, who will uphold the company’s mission and values.
The changes mean the company will have a charitable outlay of around $100 million a year.
“It’s been nearly 50 years since we began our experiment in responsible business, and we are just getting started,” said Chouinard. “If we have any hope of a thriving planet – much less a thriving business – 50 years from now, it is going to take all of us doing what we can with the resources we have. This is another way we’ve found to do our part.”
Dane O’Shanassy, director of Patagonia Australia & New Zealand, said: “Patagonia’s announcement today marks a new way in doing business, staying true to one of our core values – not bound by convention. In Australia that will mean accelerating our efforts to fight the climate crisis, whilst continuing to use our business as a force for good.
“Over my nearly 10 years at Patagonia in Australia we’ve seen our business and impact grow. Today’s announcement is another step in the leadership of the Chouinard family to truly use Patagonia as a tool for environmental protection. Today earth is our only shareholder.” Read more about Patagonia’s plans here.
“He’s blown all records with 450 vertical metres an hour”
There’s a great analysis here of French mountaineer Benjamin Védrines’ recent speed climb up a Himalayan eight-thousander.
He managed to ascend Broad Peak (8047m) – the world’s 12th highest mountain – in a record-breaking seven hours and 28 minutes. This slashed the previous official record by more than half, though Védrines was targeting the 10 hours and 30 minutes set unofficially by Spaniard Jorge Egocheaga in 2006.
In the article, Himalayan ascents analyst Rodolphe Popier says the speed at which Védrines and Egocheaga ascended the lower slopes of the mountain were similar, but that Egocheaga had needed to open his own path for the final few hundred metres to the summit.
“In contrast,” says Popier, “Védrines, with an open path to the summit, has blown all records with 450 vertical meters an hour. Incredible.”
After this achievement, Védrines moved to K2 base camp to attempt another speed record, but he nearly died doing this, needing help from his Sherpa and a Mexican climber.
France’s answer to Te Araroa Trail
An adventurer has developed a 3000km trail that goes right across France, taking in everything from stunning mountain ranges to beautiful villages.
A crowdfunding campaign allowed 32-year-old Kevin Ginisty to create the HexaTrek, connecting 14 national parks and 47 Great Hiking trails.
Starting at the German border the route incorporates the Alps and the Pyrenees, and although there’s plenty of ascent along the way, there’s no actual climbing involved.
Numerous adventurers are currently taking part in the inaugural walk. Read more about the route here.
Delays in repairing popular Bay of Islands track
Those hoping to walk the Ōpua-Paihia track in Northland will need to be patient. Repairs to this popular stretch of Te Araroa Trail have been hit by delays due to difficulties in getting hold of the high grade treated timber that’s needed.
The track closed late last year after a boardwalk and bridge across the estuary were found to be in a bad state due to rot and marine worms.
It was hoped repair work would be complete by the end of this month, but the timber is not expected to arrive until November. However, the trail should reopen within six weeks of the materials arriving. Read more at New Zealand Herald.
Locals campaign to save Piano Flat swing bridge
In 2020 a swing bridge at a popular Southland reserve was seriously damaged during a flood.
The structure, at Piano Flat, was so badly broken that it needed to be closed and, after an engineer’s report, it was set to be removed.
The bridge gave access to walking tracks along the Waikaia River and up to Titan Rocks, and locals say the reserve is far more popular than DOC realise.
In a recent meeting, locals voiced their concerns and the department agreed to have a second engineer assess the bridge before making a decision. Read more at Stuff.
WATCH: Bemused runner can’t shake off flock of sheep
This video posted by a tramper in France captures the bemused look of a runner who’s suddenly found herself being followed by a large flock of sheep.
While jogging through the forest, the runner stops to chat to the tramper. As she does so, the animals behind her also stop, but when she starts running again, they follow en masse.
We presume she managed to lose the flock soon afterwards, but who knows – perhaps she’s still fleeing from them to this day!
