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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Thanks for the update on the Kletter-Quest and your elaboration on Laurie, Chuck, and the documentary stuff, James!
I'd missed your prior post from November 20 until now.
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Jamesthomsen
Social climber
Mammoth Lakes, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 5, 2019 - 10:24am PT
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Actually the documentary is moving forward, once I realized it was beyond my ability. So a real producer/director has taken it over, doing a story of the explosion of the outdoor business in the 70s, as seen through the eyes of Wilderness Experience. He has done a number of films and a long time climber and backcountry guy, Chris Lombardo. He’s got some great interviews, including Jim Donini and John Long.
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Don Lauria
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
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A little history on the 60-40 parka:
When Sierra Designs came up with the design we, being the first and for a brief period the sole Sierra Designs retailer in the LA area, sold it enthusiastically.
After a few years all the other major outdoor clothing manufacturers had their version on the market and Sierra Designs 60-40 sales plummeted. The SD rep, can't remember his name now (SD's original rep was Bob Swanson - Marx stayed home sewing), came into West Ridge and was lamenting the sagging sales of the 60-40 parka and wanted know if I had any ideas on how to pump up the sales. After a little thought, I suggested putting a new label on them as "The Original 60-40 Parka". Not sure whether it was George Marx or Bob Swanson that decided to go with the idea, but somebody decided to add "history" to the label, also.
The result was astonishing, their sales climbed back up and eventually exceeded their previous highs.
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Jamesthomsen
Social climber
Mammoth Lakes, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 5, 2019 - 04:00pm PT
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That was a great idea Don....and it worked.
I just heard that the Original 60/40 Parka is the number one selling Sierra Designs item in Japan.
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Jamesthomsen
Social climber
Mammoth Lakes, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 5, 2019 - 04:07pm PT
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Tarbuster,
Also, the video about our first years as a guide service (1971-1973) has moved:
https://vimeo.com/305645503
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
Sands Motel , Las Vegas
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Chris Lombardo...Former east side resident...We use to call him Vince Lombardi...Great guy...!!
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Okay, James, thanks for the redirect to the new location for Chapter 1.
https://vimeo.com/305645503
It looks as though you have made some changes since the iteration I saw before you moved it?
Same sit down interview with Greg, but interspersed with more and different photographs, perhaps? It will be cool to see the evolution!
Also, in this iteration, Greg mentions Dan McHale.
Is this by chance the man who started the pack company by the same name?
http://www.mchalepacks.com/
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Jamesthomsen
Social climber
Mammoth Lakes, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 6, 2019 - 07:54am PT
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Rottingjohnny, yep, same Chris/Vince. He was an early employee of both Wilderness Experience and my retail store in Northridge, The Mountain Shop before he moved to the Eastside. And yes, a truly wonderful person.
Tarbuster, yes, the video did get more photos. And yes, it’s the same Dan McHale. He was a kid when he came in our first store, The Mountain Store in Tarzan’s, but he was already a good climber and one of The strongest I’ve known. We worked as a guide and rock climbing instructor for Wilderness Experience when we were just a guide service. His packs are great.
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TK
climber
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Wondering if you made this Chouinard pack. 1989 I think.
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Jamesthomsen
Social climber
Mammoth Lakes, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 9, 2019 - 11:53am PT
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TK,
No. We worked with Frost mostly and Val Franco. Around 1975 or so. All in the pre-Patagonia days. We made all the packs except the Ultimate Thule, which was beyond our ability:)
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Jamesthomsen
Social climber
Mammoth Lakes, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 20, 2019 - 03:41pm PT
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Just an update:
Chris Lombardo is moving ahead with the History of the Outddor Business in the 60-70s as seen through the eyes of Wilderness Experience. At the last Outdoor Retailer show he did some great interviews with people involved in those days, Steve Barker, who had the first climbing shop in Idyllwild in the early 70s and later founded Eagle Creek and with John Long, a friend since the early days.
But he needs any photos you have of Wilderness Experience product in use! RAEDISH, I think you posted one, can we use it? And do you have more? Also Tarbuster, you must have a bunch, any we can use? And even better, if you have any video?
Note to Donini: you asked back in October about a Wilderness Experience reunion...when you come back let's plan something. We'll include anyone else who was part of those days.
And finally, the Klettersack project is coming along great! I was able to again get ownership of the trademark and we will do our first run of Klettersacks soon, using the original pattern and materials. If you want to be notified when I do it: https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=gwjssn5ab&p=oi&m=1132179564230&sit=qqttdgenb&f=4fec03d2-c215-4580-ad76-be8e286a1a73
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Jamesthomsen
Social climber
Mammoth Lakes, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 20, 2019 - 04:46pm PT
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Thanks Blinny,
Your writing is always the best!
To everyone else: I asked for WildX product photos, but here is the actual request from Chris:
"Casting call! If you have any scanned photos (or digitized 8mm film) of yourself hiking, backpacking or climbing during the 60's or 70's and you're ok with us using it in our upcoming Kickstarter video for the re-launch of the Klettersack, please email them (or send Google Drive/Dropbox links) to chrisl@redguitar.com. It doesn't matter what gear you're using, we just want to show the vibe & fashion of outdoor adventure in this era. Please scour your albums and send us some cool memories. Help us make this a great video, and get mentioned in the credits!"
Thanks to anyone who can help!
Jim
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Jamesthomsen
Social climber
Mammoth Lakes, California
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Topic Author's Reply - May 10, 2019 - 08:48am PT
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I actually going to make the Klettersack again. Just launched a Kickstarter campaign for it.
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