I recently read Designed by Adventure: 30 Years of Outdoor Research by Topher Donahue. It’s a quick read with some great outdoor industry history, but as is usual with works of non-fiction, the best parts are not what’s in there, but what’s been left out.
Let’s start with what’s in there: I was relieved to find out that the company’s founder, Ron Gregg, was at least as anal retentive as I am (OCD in today’s parlance.) I loved the photos of all the retro gear; it reminded me of the early days, long before I ever tied into a rope.
My greatest criticism of the book is in what was left out. To put it bluntly, I wanted more dirt. Burning questions remained after the last page was turned: What was Dan Nordstrom really doing in the interior of B.C. when he had a “chance encounter” with the author of this book? Are those Lycra tights he is wearing in the log-straddling photo, or were they discount hosiery from the Nordstrom women’s line? Is the Seattle Sombrero still one of their best-selling sun protection hats, or are they fudging their sales figures just to keep it alive?
Perhaps there’s a sequel in the pipeline, or perhaps we’ll never know. But trust me when I tell you that the next time I’m having drinks with the crew I’ll do my best to ferret out the missing information.
