My North Cascades Story - Parenting is About Opening Doors

By Tom Vogl, Vice President of Marketing, REI

In the short time I've lived in Seattle, my family and I have explored many of the scenic and wild places the Northwest has to offer. As the father of three boys, my most memorable experiences have been taking kids on new adventures, introducing them to the wonders of the outdoors.

We've gone Nordic skiing and rock climbing in the Methow Valley, backpacked and snowshoed the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and day-hiked Sauk Mountain, just to mention a few.

Each time I visit the North Cascades, I'm awestruck by the incredible variety of terrain and the diversity of ecosystems - this is clearly a region that is worth nurturing for future generations! But the thing that keeps me coming back is the smiles and looks of amazement when introducing children to the natural wonders of this land. A lifelong friend once told me, "Parenting is about opening doors." One of the gifts I hope more people here in the Northwest will give their children is to open the door to experiences like the North Cascades.