When imagining a person summiting Everest, or any tall peak for that matter, it’s not likely that a person of color comes to mind. But, of course, that doesn’t mean that BIPOC folks aren’t out there getting after it—far from it! A significant part of the problem lies in representation from outdoor brands and outdoor media showing only white bodies participating in outdoor recreation.
Many outdoorists are coming to terms with this. And more brands have recognize it, and begin making an effort to increase representation in their content output, too. Though far from perfect, The North Face is making an effort—with Black History Month as backdrop, the brand has created a product-based initiative to increase the visibility of Black people in mountaineering by highlighting two notable Black climbers with Everest accomplishments.
Sophie Danenberg, who made the first Everest summit by a Black American, and Phil Henderson, who will be leading the first all-Black expedition of Everest, are the subject of a new, limited-edition collection of graphic apparel, available now.