Pace Communications : About Us

GREENSBORO, NC, July, 2006— The North Face, in partnership with custom publisher Pace Communications, recently introduced an online magazine dedicated exclusively to the outdoor community. The world’s premier supplier of technical outdoor apparel, equipment, footwear, and gear, The North Face is no stranger to the thrilling and gritty lives of rugged athletes, and Epic, the company’s new online publication, is their athlete’s voice.

Penned by world-renowned climbers, alpinists, endurance runners, skiers, snowboarders, and others, Epic unites the outdoor industry across multiple disciplines – featuring advice, trends, and coverage of events and expeditions of interest to both athletes and outdoors-minded consumers.

“We’re excited about the level of interest Epic has received so far,” said Joe Flannery, Vice President of Marketing, The North Face. “With online features now highlighting such exceptional athletes as Willie Benegas, Lisa Rands, Greg Child, and Joe Kulak, we’re expanding our athlete’s voice and encouraging involvement within the outdoor community.”

Now on Epic…

Willie Benegas in Pakistan

Epic writer Peter Kray profiles how The North Face teamed with a galvanized mountaineering and climbing community response to the devastating earthquake in Pakistan in October 2005. As winter settled on the Karakoram range and the surrounding Kashmir region, the United Nations desperately sought all available help for the quake’s victims. North America’s athletes set about answering that call. Led by climber Willie Benegas, who felt a special connection to the people who had so graciously hosted and helped him during his more than twenty climbs in the region, climbers from all walks of life converged on The North Face stores around the country to give all they could. Ultimately, with the help of UPS and a team of experienced athletes, Benegas returned to the region with more than five tons of supplies, including tents, jackets, sleeping bags, and hats and gloves, to see the neediest through the winter.

Joe Kulak’s Tips for Endurance Athletes

One of the United States’ hottest endurance runners, Joe Kulak pens a summer column that gives athletes the tools to be at the top of their game. In addition, readers who submit questions to Joe’s column will be entered to win a full head-to-toe endurance outfit from The North Face.

Lisa Rands on Bouldering

Lisa Rands, one of the world’s most accomplished climbers, writes about “bouldering,” the sport of scaling giant chunks of rock, in California’s Joshua Tree National Park.

Greg Child Makes a Slow Trek

Greg Child is known for his daring feats that require speed and timing. He has made 13 expeditions to the Himalayas, and, in 1999, his team included the first westerners to encounter the Bungaroo people of the upper Kurung Valley in the remote jungles of Northeast India. In his current Epic article, "Slowly Up the Comb," he explores a different kind of trip: a leisurely 18-day, 120-mile desert hike from Arizona to Utah.

Always on Epic…

Epic brings the world’s most challenging expeditions and remote locations to its readers through video feeds, live chats, and photo slideshows. Athletes and other contributing experts will share their tips on everything from packing light to finding the best equipment to recipes for meals on the go. Readers can upload the recipes to their iPod and take them along on their next trek. The site will also feature links to The North Face sponsored events, including t he Western States Endurance Run, The North Face Endurance 50, and Keihl’s Badwater Ultramarathon, and to philanthropic partners such as Global Giving .

“We’re delighted that The North Face has created an online magazine with such unique content aimed at the core customer,” said Craig Waller, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at Pace Communications. “And we’re equally delighted that they have chosen Pace as their partner. Our award-winning editorial experience will help make this site a must-visit destination for the adventure enthusiast.”

Epic can be found online at www.ExploreEpic.com