Mark Kalch » Patagonia

Dig this gear

Mark Kalch — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:04:55 +0000

Being able to do what you love for a living is a pretty sweet deal. I manage to eke out a living racing off on random expeditions. I consider myself pretty average when it comes to being an "explorer" or adventurer (maybe "expeditioneer" is a better term?) and very much still a student of the art. One chap who not only earns a living from what he loves but is also pretty darn spectacular at it is adventure photographer, Trevor Clark.

Trevor got in touch with me earlier this year about joining me in parts for my source to sea Missouri-Mississippi paddle and getting it all on camera. If you have clinked on the link to his website above already you can guess what my answer was and how quickly it came out. Yeesh! I was bummed to have to let him know that thanks to my shoulder surgery I would have to delay until next year. Not deterred, Trevor will join me on river in 2012. A prospect that I am very stoked about.

Being not only an ace photog but a gun waterman and outdoorsman I thought it fitting to hand over the reins for this installment of "Dig this gear" to him.

"I’m an adventure photographer which requires me to go to some pretty out of the way places with the proper gear to make in, document the story, and then make it back out. For the most part, this is always under my own power so I am hyper critical of the things I carry along. Adding in at least 20 to 30 pounds worth of camera equipment, I have to be weight conscious with the rest of my belongings.

That is why I never leave home without my Patagonia Houdini Jacket. I certainly don’t count on it for my main shell against really harsh conditions, but pairing it with a few other base layer options allows me to stay warm while moving through conditions that would otherwise require a rain jacket or hard shell. It keeps the wind off, light rain out and body heat in so I can keep moving lightly without overheating from wearing a shell when it’s not completely necessary.

I use it while out doing everything from backcountry skiing (on the hike), packrafting (where weight is HUGE), backpacking, mountain biking and sea kayaking to just your normal day hike out the back door. It’s even a great thing to throw in your carry on bag while traveling. Weighing in at only 4.3 ounces (122 grams), it’s too light and packable not to bring along."

Check out Trevor's website here and follow him on Twitter here.

Friday Stoke

Mark Kalch — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:11:34 +0000

Sometimes I suppose we can all get caught up in the amount of "stuff" we take into the outdoors to properly enjoy it. Backpacks, tents, waterproof kit, stoves, packrafts, kayaks, bikes, cameras, boots, climbing gear, the list is endless. Of course a lot of this gear does indeed help us get closer and go further into the wild, but quite often it can create a literal barrier between ourselves and the very environment we seek to experience. That is why, taking a step back and just viewing the simple magic of the outdoors can go a long way in helping us to re-evaluate what is important and what is not (and that goes for our existence as a whole as well). Enjoy.

In line with today's stoke I have some uber cool news regarding Argentina and my good self that...unfortunately I have to keep quiet for now. I just had to let it slip a little!

Worthwhile Expeditions

Mark Kalch — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 11:11:21 +0000

What makes an expedition worthwhile or indeed an expedition at all? Must it be a first ascent? First descent? Must it be punishing? Death-defying? Fact-finding? Science based? A fun time with your mates? Don't ask me...I keep changing my mind!

Making a full, human powered, source to sea descent of the Amazon River was hella fun! It was (at least to us) an epic! In my biased opinion it earnt it's stripes. A solo walk across Iran? My life was never in danger in the same way as on the big river but it was a tough slog all the same. I met some amazing people and hopefully have revealed something more of this hidden country. First? I doubt it, but in modern times and amongst my peers, I reckon a unique journey. Of course, I would say that.

But, what makes an expedition count? Does travelling to every country in the world without using planes qualify? Ben Fogle and James Cracknell's Race to the Pole? The Patagonia 180 South journey? I have my own views on 2 of these undertakings. They, to me, just don't belong, yet, the media and public interest they generate would suggest otherwise!

Can you guess which one I reckon takes the cake? Do YOU have a criteria? Is it possible to qualify? Does anyone have the right to make such a call?

Conquerors of the Useless

Mark Kalch — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:34:40 +0000

Yvon Chouinard has long been a bit of a hero of mine. I don't know the guy personally but I must say from all that I know of him he is a pretty cool guy. Born in Maine, USA and raised in Southern California, Yvon was part of the legendary "Golden Age" of climbing in Yosemite. The usual story - starts making his own climbing kit, steel pitons initially and then moves into clean climbing with hexs and stoppers. A sort of awakening to his life-long obsession with environmental protection and minimizing impact on the planet. Probably most well-known for his outdoor clothing company, Patagonia, he has spent a lifetime making great gear (if not the most fashionable), chasing waves, first ascents and protecting the environment where he spends so much of his time.

In 1968, he and good mate, Doug Tompkins set out from Ventura, California on the road trip of a lifetime. Taking a second-hand van and loading it up with surf boards and climbing kit, they left on a 5000-mile journey. The aim? Put up a new route on Patagonia's Mt. Fitzroy. There's a lot of coast between California and Chile. A lot of sweet waves too!

In 2007/2008 a group of Patagonia "friends" including the surfing Malloy brothers decided to follow (sort of) Yvon and Doug's journey, 40 years previous. All up, both adventures look the business. The result you can see above. Dig the vibe and the tunes! I reckon you must be kidding me if this clip does not make you want to pack it all in and chase your own dreams, whatever they may be.

Check out the website here.