I want to know what YOU think about the trend towards more commercialization of the backcountry in and around Grand Teton National Park. If you’d like to remain anonymous say so, & I will respect your privacy.
I hope to hear a wide variety of perspectives about Exum’s recently established #arcteryxacademy and their upcoming #arcteryxtrips joint business (ad)ventures.
Exum and Arc’teryx have hopped into bed together and are cocreating customers in a manner normally reserved for rabbits.
Some locals are concerned that the avalanche safety of all backcountry visitors is compromised when Exum launches large groups (literally dozens) of guided skiers up & down avalanchey peaks in overlapping succession. One morning last winter I passed ~69 (seriously, ~69!) Arc’teryx Academy skiers and splitboarders simultaneously ascending the skintrack from Death Canyon to Wimpy’s Knob. Folks were lined up below and across the assorted slide paths on a Considerable avalanche danger day. 69 of ’em. Seriously.
The new Arc’teryx Trips program recently went live online and is reportedly all the talk at 50+ Arc’teryx stores globally and at countless other retailers that carry the clothing brand.
Among other things Arc’teryx Trips is selling exclusive — and expensive — trips up the Grand Teton and into the most sacred Cirques of the Wind River Wilderness.
Don’t worry if this year’s *limited* Arc’teryx-branded trips are already booked up: Exum will gladly charge you for your own little guided adventure to the same overcommercialized location at a comparable price.
Sure, Exum can market its services and sign sponsorship deals for gear discounts but *should* a global clothing brand based in Canada be advertising and selling trips for a concession service in Our Parks? My perspective is strongly opposed to these business relationships and the precedents they set. Maybe you can persuade me otherwise.
🖖🤪🤙
The Sheepeater 