Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
Tan Slacks
Social climber
Joshua Tree
|
|
|
Topic Author's Original Post - May 16, 2006 - 12:54pm PT
|
I just called Patagonia to see if they had a response to the recent accent of the DA by DP.
A very nice woman forwarded me this email from their press department,
FYI
"Patagonia ambassador Dean Potter’s May 7 free solo of Delicate Arch has generated significant controversy about the legality and appropriateness of the climb of what has been described as a national icon. We’ll be interested to follow the controversy and to listen to views of those on both sides.
A few facts are in order. First, no crime has been committed. The National Park Service has conceded that its regulations were ambiguous and that they will not cite Dean for the ascent. They have said they will seek to clarify their regulations to prevent a second try. The Park and a number of opinion leaders have argued that Delicate Arch is an icon that should not be climbed.
It is important to note that Dean did no harm to the route or to the rock. He free-soloed the arch, placing no anchors and creating no impact beyond blowing dust off the holds. As he says, “No one reveres rocks more than me. I consider all rocks sacred, as do most climbers.”
Dean, like all Patagonia ambassadors, undertakes his own climbs on his own terms. He told us about the climb afterward.
We have taken positions in the past on a number of issues of climbing ethics, including bolting. We take no position on this one. As Casey Sheahan, our CEO, notes, “From the early days in the Tetons to the rebelliousness of Yosemite’s Camp 4, every generation of climbers has had its run-ins with government regulations that attempt to restrict climber’s freedom of expression. At Patagonia we don’t control the ways our sponsored athletes conduct themselves except to encourage respect for the environment and uncommon approaches to every challenge. Dean is at the pinnacle of free solo climbing, makes decisions for himself, and has our complete support.”
|
|
dirtineye
Trad climber
the south
|
|
|
May 16, 2006 - 01:00pm PT
|
Are they for real?
Fvck, I won't even by em on sale now.
|
|
atchafalaya
Trad climber
California
|
|
|
May 16, 2006 - 01:02pm PT
|
there is no such thing as bad press...
|
|
JuanDeFuca
Big Wall climber
Stoney Point
|
|
|
May 16, 2006 - 01:05pm PT
|
I was looking for some Patagonia clothing to burn, but I just realized all my gear is now Mountain Hardware.
Juan
|
|
Texplorer
Trad climber
Las Vegas
|
|
|
May 16, 2006 - 01:09pm PT
|
you don't know what it's like, you don't have a clue
if you did you'd find yourselves doing the same thing too
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
|
|
Jaybro
Social climber
The West
|
|
|
May 16, 2006 - 01:12pm PT
|
Makes me wish I could afford their stuff.
|
|
GrandMastaD
Social climber
|
|
|
May 16, 2006 - 01:25pm PT
|
Hey Juan,
If your throwing away all your gear that sponsors Potter, I'll take your camalots off your hands. Thanks in advance.
DD
|
|
Loomis
climber
Praha, Ceska Republika
|
|
|
May 16, 2006 - 01:27pm PT
|
RoboCat says: Step back whiner's!... Patagonia™ rules!!
|
|
Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
|
|
|
May 16, 2006 - 01:29pm PT
|
I guess loopholes in the law are Ok for taxpayers and corporations to exploit but not climbers.
I'm not supporting Dean's ascent. I think it was a mistake but maybe not a cut and dried mistake. He's got a bone to pick with "the man" and that was perhaps a fair enough way to do so. It's likely to lead to further restrictions on climbers though.
But I think Patagonia's response covered the middle ground fairly.
Peace
Karl
|
|
GrandMastaD
Social climber
|
|
|
May 16, 2006 - 01:30pm PT
|
I guess I was just jonesing for some new cams.
DD
|
|
George Bell
Trad climber
Colorado
|
|
|
May 16, 2006 - 01:46pm PT
|
If this is their press release, it is odd that we haven't seen it officially. Strange that they would just email it to someone who asks about it. Maybe it has been released by now.
It seems that Patagucci is addressing the ascent itself, and not the impact it may have on future access and NPS attitude towards climbers. They seem to feel that the ascent will have very little impact long term. I certainly hope they are right! Who are these "opinion leaders" they refer to?
His ascent was not as pure as the PR indicates. What about the rope he used to descend? There are also rumors that he TR'd it first by shooting a line over the top with a bow ...
Also, if his ascent was completely legal, why do they need to say "he only told us about it afterward."? Would they have done anything differently had he had told them before he did it? Apparently not.
|
|
JuanDeFuca
Big Wall climber
Stoney Point
|
|
|
May 16, 2006 - 01:53pm PT
|
After reading that drivel I feel the need to vomit!
Oh, the link Loomis provided.
Entranced by the flight of a raven, I watch the bird’s shadow move effortlessly against golden, shimmering granite. I long to be that free, flying above the cluttered world where so many are half alive. Lately I am absorbed with thoughts of the past or of what I’m hoping to do.
|
|
George Bell
Trad climber
Colorado
|
|
|
May 16, 2006 - 02:02pm PT
|
Speaking of puking, how about this bio from the same web site: "Patagonia ambassador Dean Potter lives to be wild. His true spirit shines through his climbing. He dreams of one day leaving mankind’s dominating negativity behind and focusing all his energy on nature’s beauty."
|
|
dirtineye
Trad climber
the south
|
|
|
May 16, 2006 - 02:04pm PT
|
LOok up the patagonia custo er servicwe lien, too free, and call em adn tell em what you think
I did.
HEll don't even look it up, here you go:
1-800-638-6464
Patagonia Customer Service Reps are available for inquiries weekdays from 6am to 6pm, and weekends from 8am to 4pm (PST). Phone orders are accepted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
|
|
Jaybro
Social climber
The West
|
|
|
May 16, 2006 - 02:05pm PT
|
But;
"Quoth the Raven, nevermore."
?
or Was it "Eat my shorts." ?
|
|
Tan Slacks
Social climber
Joshua Tree
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - May 16, 2006 - 02:18pm PT
|
I first tried to find their comments to the story on their website. I could not find anything, so I just called their customer service number. The operator said that this statement had been emailed to all the phone reps by the press dept. It is an internal email given to their own staff to read to customers that call. I may well be the official statement, but like I said, I got it from an operator who forwarded it to me. I hope she is not in trouble.
In addition, this is my favorite part of the email...
"Dean, like all Patagonia ambassadors, undertakes his own climbs on his own terms. He told us about the climb afterward.
We have taken positions in the past on a number of issues of climbing ethics, including bolting. We take no position on this one."
This from a company that publically takes many positions on the planet, manufacturing, politics and ethics.
|
|
Melissa
Gym climber
berkeley, ca
|
|
|
May 16, 2006 - 02:31pm PT
|
Who is on Patagonia's Board of Director's? Any sport-related members? Just curious...
|
|
Texplorer
Trad climber
Las Vegas
|
|
|
May 16, 2006 - 02:33pm PT
|
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!