The North Face announced the fall tour schedule for the 2015 The North Face Never Stop Exploring Speaker Series, presented by Gore-Tex. The Speaker Series, which kicked off August 13, features world class athletes and their personal stories, experiences, hardships and adventurous feats. Each multi-media event is followed by a live discussion and Q&A session with the athletes including Jimmy Chin, Conrad Anker, Emily Harrington, Hilaree O'Neill and more.
The shows and athletes in this year’s Never Stop Exploring Speaker Series include:
MERU: BELIEVE IN THE IMPOSSIBLE
Three close friends and The North Face teammates Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin and Renan Ozturk battle their complicated pasts, inner demons and nature’s harshest elements in an attempt to confront, once again, the elusive Shark’s Fin on Mount Meru, the most technically complicated and dangerous peak in the Himalayas. After a harrowing attempt in 2008 that left them 100 meters shy of the 21,000ft summit, the trio swore off the route and returned home only to continue dreaming of the impossible climb. With intimate interviews and narration from Jon Krakauer, this film winner of the People’s Choice Award at Sundance Film Festival, examines obsession, friendship, dreams and sacrifice, on and off one of the world’s most difficult mountains, and the team’s return to the Shark’s Fin for one last try.
Event Locations: New York, NY, August 13 / Denver, CO, August 13 / Los Angeles, CA, August 15 / Seattle, WA, August 15 / Berkeley, CA, August 20 / Bethesda, MD, August 22 / Boston, MA, August 28 / Portland, OR, September 2
ROOTED
In partnership with Vice Media The North Face climber Sam Elias travels to Lebanon to face the dual challenges of exploring his family's heritage during a time of cultural and political upheaval, and to climb the toughest routes on Mount Lebanon. Thirty-five years after his parents immigrated to the US from Lebanon, Sam travels back with his sister Kayla to learn about the history of his family and their recent struggles. The journey leads them to new routes and the opportunity to share with the climbing community, and beyond, the unique beauty of his family’s homeland.
Event Locations: NYC, NY, September 14 / Detroit, MI, September 13 / Salt Lake City, UT, September 15
THE OTHER WAY
Conrad Anker has lived a life of triumph and tragedy. Risk. Fear. Suffering. Reward. Conrad has chosen to live outside the boundaries of the known and go the other way. The culmination of his life’s work in alpinism came with the summit of unclimbed Mount Meru, but started early in his climbing career, which spans over the three decades. His story includes tales from some of the most iconic expeditions around the world and the importance he places on family and friendship. Come join us an evening of adventure and inspiration with Conrad Anker.
Event Locations: Chicago, IL, October 14 / New York, NY, October 15 / San Francisco, CA, October 16 / Boulder, CO, October 21 / Seattle, WA, October 23
MYANMAR
In partnership with National Geographic, a team of The North Face explorers set out in search for Myanmar's highest peak. The objective: solve the geographical mystery of Southeast Asia’s most mysterious peaks by returning with soil samples. Before reaching the remote and dangerously high Hkakabo Razi and Gamlang Razi, they must travel across 300 miles of cultural areas few expeditions have ventured before. The trek takes them through rainforests, home to deadly pythons and the world’s largest tiger reserve, before hitting plunging that eventual lead to glaciers. Here finally marks their path to the final ascent. When they find it, they take on the grueling and dangerous task of climbing to its summit. Join athletes Hilaree O’Neill and Emily Harrington as they bring to life this incredible adventure.
Event Location: Washington DC, October 27 / Dallas, TX, October 26 / Portland, OR, October 28
For tickets and information, visit www.thenorthface.com/speakerseries.com Follow the conversation with #TNFSpeakerSeries.
