The North Face and REI Support NOLS Endeavor to Summit Denali

The North Face and REI have announced their support for the National Outdoor Leadership School's "Expedition Denali." The North Face will sponsor the technical gear for the expedition, while REI will be the retail sponsor.

The goal of Expedition Denali is to use the expedition, the grassroots events that will be a part of the expedition, and an outreach initiative that will follow over the next two years, to provide a platform that will inspire youth of color, in particular African American youth, to reach out actively and connect with nature.

Laura Swapp, REI's director of Diversity and Inclusion, said: "The dedication shown by the NOLS' Expedition Denali team will serve as a motivation to others to lead active lifestyles and to find their own version of Denali. Their journey perfectly aligns with our commitment to inspire others and to be inspired by them."

This will be the very first predominantly African American team that will attempt to summit North America's tallest mountain, Denali. That is what makes Expedition Denali a special and historical undertaking. The expedition will take place in June 2013, the hundredth anniversary of the first ascent of the peak.

Ann Krcik, director of Outdoor Exploration at The North Face, said: "This diverse team of inspiring individuals has the opportunity to ignite a passion for the outdoors in the next generation of outdoor explorers. We are proud to be able to offer the team the best outdoor gear and equipment from The North Face to help make this expedition a success."

The North Face and REI join hands with partners such as The Sierra Club, the Foundation for Youth Investment, and the Let's Move Outside! Campaign of The White House to help NOLS move ahead with the expedition. The North Face will outfit the expedition team for the climb, and REI, as the retail sponsor, will provide the funds to help underwrite the expedition costs.

NOLS Diversity and Inclusion Manager Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin said: "The North Face is the premier supplier of innovative equipment and apparel, and REI is one of outdoor recreation's best known brands. We are delighted to have both of them backing this historic project, which will help narrow the gap between people of color and the world of adventure and inspire more Americans to connect with our outdoor spaces."

Photo Credit: marmit