Powdercloud, Engelberg, Switzerland (photo: Oskar Enander)

— Yvon Chouinard

Environmentalist, conservationist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. Climber, skier, surfer, industrial designer, and reluctant businessman. Founder of both Black Diamond Equipment and Patagonia, the pioneering outdoor apparel company whose business model is based upon an unwavering commitment to quality, environmental stewardship, fair trade practices, and sustainability. Party to the single largest private land purchase/rehabilitation in history, which then became the largest ever endowment of public land anywhere on earth: Pumalin Douglas Tompkins National Park, in southern Chile. One of the greats.

“How you climb a mountain is more important than reaching the top.”


CAUTION 

THE BIGGEST LINES IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR INJURY OR LOSS OF ANY KIND. ANYONE ATTEMPTING THE ROUTES LISTED HERE OR USING ANY OF THE SUGGESTED OR RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY.

BE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY PREPARED. BE PROPERLY EQUIPPED. SEEK PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE AND/OR INSTRUCTION ON TECHNIQUE, METHODOLOGY, SAFETY PROTOCOL, AND PROPER EQUIPMENT USE.

MONITOR THE WEATHER. TRAVEL WITH A CAPABLE AND TRUSTED PARTNER. USE GOOD JUDGEMENT. BE READY TO TURN BACK IF THE OBJECTIVE BECOMES TOO CHALLENGING, OR IF CONDITIONS BECOME DANGEROUS. LIVE TO SKI ANOTHER DAY.