The Ridgemont Journal
From Vanlife to Farmlife
Ridgemont Ambassador Alex Jackson is a bit of a nomad. He'll work half the year on a farm in Canada in order to save up cash so that he can spend the other half of the year on epic adventures. This year he loaded up his wife, his dog, and his gear in his Toyota Hiace van named Norton, and then tripped all the way down the west coast into Mexico. Camping, sightseeing, hot springing, you name it, they did it.
The Hoffmeister Hustle
Ambassador Peter Hoffmeister has just announced that he'll be racing world class speed climber Hans Florine! The race is set to take place in Eugene, OR on June 11th at The Columns, a natural rock structure within the city limits. It's Pete's home turf, but Hans is considered one of the best in the world, so... Maybe it's a toss-up?!
Finally... A Freeway Through Yosemite
Now we can get through the valley even faster! No need to bother with that sightseeing nonsense...
L.A. from the inside out
Street photography is a tricky thing. It may seem simple but but it takes patience and a little cunning to get yourself into the right situations to get a great shot. Jerrick Romero is a friend of ours, and has a great talent for taking photos of all kinds, particularly street photography. Here he tells a little bit about his technique and what got him where he's at...
Livin' la vida vanlife
Alex Jackson is a Ridgemont Ambassador on the move. Literally, he hasn't stopped moving almost daily for the last few months. Hailing from Vermilion, Alberta, Canada, Alex works hard at home most of the year as a heavy machine operating farmer. He'll save his dough during the working season so that he can hit the road during the off season with his wife, his dog, and his rig. From Canada, through the US and Mexico, this year Alex has seen it all. And he's still not home yet.
Off the grid, island style
The one thing that is undeniable is that the valley is one of the most desirable places in the world for people who have practically nothing to take a break from the rules and rituals of modern life and eke out a simpler existence. Barca calls it a “Disney forest,” a tropical refuge devoid of venomous snakes or man-eating tigers, where almost everyone speaks English and looks pretty much like everyone else. Living here is like popping a Prozac each morning but without all the bad juju. A fruit smoothie for your soul—or something like that. All I know is I want to experience it before it’s gone.
Patagonia just gets better and better
Patagonia looks to be one of the last great unspoiled places on earth. Luckily there are 10 million acres of it that recently got greater protections.
My Old Outbacks contest winners announced!
One week ago we asked you to submit your stories of your well-worn Ridgemonts along with photos for a chance to win a feature and a new pair. Now, we've...
Southwestern Sampler
Road trip to the Southwest We are known for our spur of the moment trips and this was definitely our best and quickest so far! We knew the Super...
My Old Outbacks - Footwear Contest
These are my Outbacks. I’ve been wearing them for pretty much everything other than skateboarding since the spring of 2016. They’ve been been to many countries and logged many miles....
Footwear Care - Leather & Suede
Once you've made the leap and purchased your new Ridgemonts (which you really ought to continue to make leaps in), you may be keen to keep them clean. After all, not...
Free National Parks Weekend!
Today and tomorrow, April 18th and 19th, all National Parks across the country are waiving entry fees! Never a better time to visit! Most National Parks are free all the time but here’s a list of the parks that normally charge fees—