Boulder, CO, September 16, 2019—Nature enthusiasts seeking to learn wilderness skills joined a community of nearly 220 backpackers of all skill levels trekking more than 30 miles through the Colorado Rockies September 6–8 on Fjällräven Classic USA. Following the fourth annual Fjällräven Classic USA, one-hundred percent of proceeds from ticket sales were donated to the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC), an organization of volunteers and recreationists working hand-in-hand with the U.S. Forest Service and other federal agencies to build, promote and protect the 3,100-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
“Everything we do at Fjällräven boils down to inspiring people to walk with nature,” says Fjällräven’s CEO of Americas and V.P. of Fenix Outdoor International AG, Nathan Dopp. “The Classic events are a very Swedish concept, and they resonate with Fjällräven fans in America, too. We are committed to offering an introduction to trekking that gives people the right tools and confidence to immerse themselves in nature while taking away the intimidation of heading out on your own. We built this year’s Classic USA to give attendees the tools and education needed to responsibly go out on their own next time. Caring for nature goes hand-in-hand with developing trekking skills, and we are honored to work with organizations like the Continental Divide Trail Coalition and Leave No Trace to lead new and experienced backpackers toward behaviors that maintain and protect the wild places for which we care so deeply.”
One-hundred percent of proceeds from ticket sales for the sold-out Fjällräven Classic USA benefited the CDTC, an organization founded in 2012 to bolster community engagement for the popular national trail system. Through CDTC, volunteers, recreationists and scientists actively cultivate a hiking culture designed to support and protect trails for generations to come. Launched in 2016 in the U.S., Classic events parallel the CDTC’s mission to inspire and enable more people to get outside by tapping into the brand’s Swedish history of taking time to relish the journey, all while preserving wild spaces.
In addition to the CDTC, Fjällräven worked closely with nonprofit partner Leave No Trace to lead participants in caring for the trail, educating trekkers about their impact on nature and assisting them in leaving the land in better condition than it was found. Additional partner organizations offered educational demonstrations at group campsites, such as explaining the history of the Continental Divide and teaching footwear first aid. Fjällräven also used a sweep crew to follow final trekkers each day, ensuring there was no trace of the Fjällräven Classic left behind, including signage, waste or gear.
“The Fjällräven Classic USA is filled with backpackers who are brand new and don’t necessarily know how to practice Leave No Trace, so we are there to bridge that gap and inform participants on each of the seven principles of Leave No Trace, and how they can be applied to the trek,” says Dean Rozoni, Leave No Trace director of strategic partnerships. “Through tailored messaging, on-trail staging, and presentations to all participants Leave No Trace works with all parties to ensure every participant is well informed prior to hitting the trail.”
For more information about the Fjällräven Classic, including 2020 events scheduled for Germany, China, South Korea, and the U.K., please visit fjallraven.us.
