The North Face announced the Bay Area launch of PlanetExplore, a new
online community that connects people to the outdoors in meaningful
ways by serving as a hub for outdoor activities and events in their
community.

“PlanetExplore is a virtual community board for outdoor exploration,”
says Steve Rendle, president of The North Face and VF Corporation's
Outdoor Americas coalition. “It creates opportunities to connect
individuals to outdoor activities within their communities to help
develop the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and
conservationists.”

As part of PlanetExplore, The North Face has partnered with
organizations that promote outdoor participation, such as Outward
Bound, Children & Nature Network, Sierra Club, Conservation Next,
and American Hiking Society.

According to a study by The Outdoor Foundation, more than 85% of the
U.S. population will be living in urban areas in the coming years.
“Since we are becoming a more urban nation, we support the fact that
PlanetExplore will increase access to unstructured outdoor activity in
urban areas,” says Christine Fanning, executive director of The Outdoor
Foundation. “It's a wonderful resource to connect people to the
outdoors.”

The Outdoor Foundation study also points out that 90% of adult
participants in outdoor recreation were introduced to outdoor
activities between the ages of 5 and 18. PlanetExplore engages the
community, with a focus on youth, by generating awareness and access to
outdoor activities by providing information on events and the ability
to connect with others in outdoor pursuits.

PlanetExplore is a one-stop social media portal for people interested
in hiking, biking, climbing, running and other activities. Individuals
can search PlanetExplore for activities and events in their community
that are offered by one of the many organizations The North Face has
partnered with. Events are listed by region and activity, and
individuals can access the information they need to maximize their
outdoor experience.

“It's important that children learn to connect with nature and the
outdoors at an early age as a growing body of evidence indicates that
children who participate in unstructured outdoor activities are
healthier, happier, and better learners, and these assets can carry
into adulthood,” says Richard Louv, chairman of the Children &
Nature Network and the author of seven books, including his most recent
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit
Disorder. “I'm confident that PlanetExplore will become a catalyst for
children and their families to get outdoors and get moving for all the
right reasons.”

“Partnering with The North Face on PlanetExplore allows small
nonprofits like ours to get our message to a bigger community of active
outdoors people and engage them in our work.” says Roger Miller,
Executive Director of Bay Area Wilderness Training, a Bay area
PlanetExplore partner that has helped get over 10,000 youth into the
wilderness since 1999.

California's Bay Area is the first official region where PlanetExplore
is launching. The North Face has partnered with local Bay Area
organizations such as: GirlVentures, who since 1997 has helped 3,000
Bay Area girls explore self, community, culture and environment through
outdoor adventure, creative arts and group experiences; and
NatureBridge, who has introduced almost one million students to the
wonder of our National Parks and inspired them to conservation and
service.

“The combination of our rich heritage of over 40 years in the Bay Area
and this region's passion for the outdoors makes it an ideal community
for launching this effort,” concludes Rendle.

Later in 2009, PlanetExplore will launch in Denver and New York City.

PlanetExplore can be accessed by visiting www.thenorthface.com/planetexplore.