The North Face begin?
The Sierra Parka was my first connection with the brand. As an aspiring climber, having a The North Face Sierra Parka… and a JanSport frame pack was the look I was after. It was also quite functional. There is tree sap on the back, which is the worst fabric stain. There’s a reason old time boats were built with sap and pitch for water-fastness. [There’s also a] ramen/watery oatmeal spill patina up front. (Note: Conrad’s Sierra Parka has found a home on display at The North Face office.) [Since then, I’ve been enabled to pursue] a personal journey of self-discovery with friends in a location that is inspiring to one’s soul. I need wilderness and the shared experience of working towards a goal to survive our oversubscribed life.
your parka came in clutch?
Jimmy Chin and I reached the summit of Ulvetanna, Antarctica in December 2017. While we had unlimited sun, there was a constant pressure of COLD. We both led and cleaned pitches with our down sweaters underneath our parkas. In May 1999, I gave my parka to an injured climber on the North Side of Everest. It might have made his day a little more comfortable.
the future of exploration?
Being able to see exploration grow into a unifying understanding of how to treat other living things. Perhaps, with nourishment, our curiosity might unlock the challenges of our existence. Our brand is nourishment for curiosity.
forward to on a personal level?
We have a climb in Tibet this August. I’m not climbing. I get to play fort with walkie talkies and my besties.
The North Face begin?
When I was a kid living in rural Alaska with my family, my mom always made sure we had good gear to keep us warm. I usually had hand-me-downs from my brothers, but they were the best and most reliable. As I grew older, I became more involved in advocacy work within my community, bringing awareness to interconnected issues such as the climate crisis and oil and gas development. I went to Washington, D.C., on behalf of my people, and that’s where I met The North Face team.
for in a parka?
When it comes to parkas, I look to be protected in extreme weather. Insulation, wind protection, durability and comfort. When I was a kid, I hated wearing my big red parka, because all the other kids had these cool jackets. But then I realized they were always cold and complaining, and I wasn’t. I value comfort over looks, although it’s a plus when the parka is cute and warm. The best of both worlds.
What excites you about the future?
What inspires me now is seeing industries change to create a more sustainable and livable environment. Seeing young people step up and speak out for what they believe in. It’s refreshing to see people take initiative to create change and do better, and it gives me hope.
with The North Face begin?
In 2001, Conrad Anker and I climbed K7 in the Karakoram, and he brought me onto the team. Since then, I’ve been able to pursue dual careers as an athlete and storyteller. I always show up on expeditions as both a climber or mountaineer and a photographer.
expedition of your career (so far)?
That’s a tough one. I would say skiing Mount Everest, climbing the first ascent of the Shark’s Fin on Meru or climbing a new route on Ulvetanna in Queen Maud Land.
gear you rely on most?
I probably relied most on my down jackets or parkas. You can’t survive or climb on these types of expeditions and in these types of environments without them. [When looking for a parka,] I look for warmth, simplicity of design, being lightweight and functional.
What excites you about the future?
I’m inspired by anyone who pushes the edge of their craft and takes risks to push the edges of their vocation or passions—whether that’s in art, music, climbing, dance, medicine, writing…I’m inspired by people with vision and follow-through, big and small. And I’m inspired by my children, and excited to see what the next generation of explorers and athletes do, how they interpret exploration and keep the spirit of exploration alive.
A born-and-raised New Yorker, Danie Sierra's inspiration and energy comes from the city she calls home - and will make it anywhere.
After going through a box of photos in her grandmother's house and recognizing a pattern in the array of outerwear from The North Face (with a laugh, she calls them "flavors"), Danie was struck by the idea for her first personal project: New Yorkers X The North Face.
She photographed her friends and family in places that held significance to them - wearing their favorite jackets from The North Face to capture an authentic and holistic style story. And the rest, as they say, is history.
