Northern Dancer
Survivalist
TNF Founder Douglas Tompkins, 1943 – 2015
Tompkins died following a kayaking accident in Patagonia. He capsized in rough weather on Lake General Carrera with five companions around 11 a.m. He was airlifted to Coyhaique Regional Hospital. He died of severe hypothermia at 6:30 p.m.
Tompkins co-founded The North Face with Kenneth “Hap” Klopp in 1964. He later founded the popular 80’s brand ESPRIT clothing with his then-wife Susie. The North Face is now one of the largest brands in the outdoors world and is widely recognized as a leader in high tech apparel and equipment. Tompkins has also dedicated much of his life to environmental activism. He and his wife Kris are credited with preserving millions of acres of wilderness in Chile and Argentina. The couple was dedicated to park creation, wildlife recovery, ecological agriculture and activism.
He will be truly missed...
Tompkins died following a kayaking accident in Patagonia. He capsized in rough weather on Lake General Carrera with five companions around 11 a.m. He was airlifted to Coyhaique Regional Hospital. He died of severe hypothermia at 6:30 p.m.
Tompkins co-founded The North Face with Kenneth “Hap” Klopp in 1964. He later founded the popular 80’s brand ESPRIT clothing with his then-wife Susie. The North Face is now one of the largest brands in the outdoors world and is widely recognized as a leader in high tech apparel and equipment. Tompkins has also dedicated much of his life to environmental activism. He and his wife Kris are credited with preserving millions of acres of wilderness in Chile and Argentina. The couple was dedicated to park creation, wildlife recovery, ecological agriculture and activism.
He will be truly missed...