Real Life Stories

Justin FarberTackling Wyoming’s Absaroka Mountain Range in comfort and style

"My friends and I set out on a long expedition to the Absaroka Mountain Range this summer with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Our goal was to make it over the pass of Eagle Peak, the highest mountain in Yellowstone National Park.

We woke up early one morning only to find that it had been raining. The group decided that we should still go for the pass. Our packs were carrying an 11-day ration and were extremely heavy to be hauling up a mountain in the rain. The trail led us over many creeks to the base of Eagle Pass. Already I was in better shape than most of the group, since I had GORE-TEX® Outdoor Research gaiters on as well as Vasque Sundowner boots made of GORE-TEX® fabric.

We had been hiking on snow and ice and at the halfway mark we took a break to wring out our socks. While the rest of the group had to do dances to stay warm at our rest break, I enjoyed a Clif Bar. I thank my The North Face GORE-TEX® jacket and GORE WINDSTOPPER® fleece jacket for that.

We finally reached camp and prepared for dinner. The next morning my GORE-TEX® products were already dry. Thanks, GORE-TEX® brand, for making such sturdy products that lasted the whole 30-day expedition."

Justin Farber, Culver, Indiana