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Jared Tohlen

@jaredmtohlen

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Creating, Adventuring, Dad-ing, & more
Helping brands get to what's next over at @tohlencreativeco
Outdoor enthusiast & #fjallravenpolar2025 alum

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Yesterday I met a friend on a local trail and ran just about six miles with him in the crisp, fall morning. Then I took my family to the art museum, where we strolled the grounds and admired the oak and ginkgo trees. Later we saw a hawk perched on a street sign and talked about how amazing it is that they can balance on such a thin edge. I make it a point to be very aware of these ordinary, everyday aspects of creation, and to share that with those around me. Things like watering the plant on my desk, pointing out the fall leaves to my children, or just gazing out the window may all seem small, but they cultivate a perspective and awareness for the natural world we’re a part of little by little.

And between these ordinary, everyday things I try to sprinkle bigger, extraordinary things that really get me and others out and experiencing nature in bigger or deeper ways. Running by myself or with a friend, taking my family camping, and trips to new natural places are all great examples.

But the extraordinary things are harder to do for me, and are much rarer. Summiting a mountain, going on a multi-day trek, paddling a river are all things I have done at some point. But time, money, and day-to-day life easily crowd out those adventures. I wish I could do them more, though. Those kind of adventures into the ‘wilderness’ outside of our comfort zones give us new perspective and awareness we likely couldn’t get any other way. They are catalysts to life change and doorways to new trajectories in life, too. Hopefully I get to participate in Fjällräven Polar 2025 for just that sort of experience!

But for now, I’m going to be thinking on how to get this Dads/Kids/Nature group started up!

This is my entry for #fjallravenpolar2025 #challenge3. Thanks @fjallravenofficial for these great prompts and challenges and for encouraging so many of us to think intentionally about how we can act responsibly to the world around us—nature, animals, and people.

Music once again from @dcuttermusic
Fonts are Space Mono and then Vulf Sans Mono and USJ from @ohnotypeco by @jaredmtohlen

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2 years ago

When I was in high school I went backpacking for the first time. The guide service provided these huge external frame backpacks and some of the equipment. One of those things was a massive sleeping bag with no compression sack. It worked but golly it was a pain to wrestle. I knew if I were to do more of this sort of thing, I'd want a bag that packed small. Enter my Slumberjack Kepler 20°F bag!

I've had this bag since 2008 and it's still going strong. I store it hung up, and give it a warm bath every few uses. But otherwise I've never had to worry about repairing or modifying it. Make sure to watch the full video to hear more about it and why I chose it for this challenge.

Here's to plenty more adventures with this wonderful bit of gear. Love your gear longer!

@fjallravenofficial this is my entry for #FjallravenPolar2025 #Challenge2 🤘

Music is by @dcuttermusic
Fonts in the intro/outro are Space Mono and then USJ and Vulf Mono by @ohnotypeco
And because I'm wearing it and love it, my hat is from @territoryrunco by @jaredmtohlen

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2 years ago

My name is Jared Tohlen (pronounced ”toe-lean”—Swedish ancestry!). I'm from Kansas City, Missouri in the United States. I run, sometimes camp, have backpacked, and more, but I'm otherwise pretty unremarkable. And it seems wild that I'm applying for this amazing Arctic expedition known as Fjallraven Polar, but as one of last year's participants said, "you can't win if you don't apply."

You might guess from the video, but my children are what motivates me and why I'm applying. When I told them about this opportunity, my oldest daughter squealed, “You HAVE to do this!” (mostly because of the sled dogs, I think). But she's right… I feel like I have to do this.

My hope for my kiddos is that they grow up learning to enjoy and care for this world and the people they meet in it, and that they endeavor to take on the hard things they'll inevitably encounter. This is why our family values are “Enjoy creation, do hard things, gain awareness, and be empathetic.” And the best way for them to learn to do these things is to see their mommy and daddy do them, too. It's why I run half marathons: so they can see the struggle of my training, and the pay off of crossing the finish line. It's why I work hard at my job. It's why we readily open our home to friends and strangers. It's why we take random trips to the creek or park, and our vacations are to places like state and national parks instead of amusement parks.

I'd never heard of Fjallraven Polar until a few days ago, but now I can't get it out of my head. An epic trek through the Arctic with complete strangers will be difficult and eye-opening, but also a beautiful experience of this world we live in. And becoming “a true Arctic fox” like this sounds like an amazing way to challenge and grow myself and model our values to my children, my family, and so many around us.

So, @fjallravenofficial this is my submission for Fjallraven Polar 2025 Challenge 1. Thank you for your time and consideration!

And for all my friends and followers here, would you help me out with a like, share, or comment? Maybe say what you love about this world we live in! I'd appreciate it 🤘

#FjallravenPolar2025 #Challenge1 by @jaredmtohlen

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2 years ago

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5 hours ago

Some "last day on the trail" ASMR for you from day 6 of the @fjallravenofficial Classic Sweden. We spent the whole day hiking through Abisko National Park on the way to the finish line in the town of Abisko.

You can't really tell from this video, but, believe me, it was beautiful (even with tired feet, legs, and minds).

Also shameless plug for my @lemsshoes Boulder boots I took on this trip. They were so great to trek in. taken in Abisko National Park by @jaredmtohlen

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a month ago

Can't believe Fjallraven Classic Sweden was already a month ago. I've edited these images more closely and provided a bit of story/context.

Beautiful weather around sunset on the fourth night, camping across the lake from the Sami village of Alesjaure. It was cold and windy, but we'd had a short, mostly sunny day of trekking, and the group had earned a case of beer for helping stack firewood at the Alesjaure STF nearby.

A few miles in on the first day we came to this lake. We could have ridden a boat across, but we chose to earn the miles. There was also a hut serving reindeer burgers that were SO good. We did about 12 miles that day.

A bit later on day 1, further up the valley. The bottom of the V in the middle of the frame is where we were headed and would eventually end up camping for the night.

Morning of day two. We were at the top of the valley we'd hiked up on day 1. That mountain in the clouds is the pointy mountain from the previous shot. The Real Turmat breakfasts are good eating! And our first night in our Durston tent went well, even if we were pitched on a bit of a slope.

Right at the beginning of day 2, just up the trail from where we camped. The 12 miles from the day before broke us in, but we weren't worn out yet (that would come later in the day, around rainy mile 13).

Hiking the valley bottom close together with the rest of the group, having good conversation and enjoying the sun and chilly morning air. It was a really great start to day 2.

Nearing the Singi checkpoint on day 2 with many miles already walked. The scale of the landscape was awe-inspiring, no matter which way you turned.

Singi checkpoint ahead! Clouds were threatening rain, and the wind was definitely picking up. Luckily at the checkpoint Fjallraven was serving lingonberry juice and reindeer sandwiches. And they had toilet tents! Such luxury. We took a long break and enjoyed a hot lunch, too.

Still day 2, shortly after merging onto the Kungsleden, which runs north-south through much of Sweden. The sky couldn't decide whether to shine or rain, so we were getting all kinds of dramatic scenes to enjoy.

The most difficult mental battle of the trip. About 12 miles down on d taken in Swedish Lapland by @jaredmtohlen

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a month ago

Last week @htohlen and I travelled to Northern Sweden to trek across the Arctic landscape. @fjallravenofficial Classic Sweden is a 110km/65mile, 5-7 day backpack starting in Nikkaluokta and ending in Abisko. We got to join a bunch of friends from my Polar 2025 team. Here's a few shots from my Fuji camera (the very first shot was actually from the talented @tii_hn). I'll have some other photos and videos to share soon, too. taken in Swedish Lapland by @jaredmtohlen

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2 months ago

The woodshop is a disaster, and I need to shoot video for a client. So, apparently, that's the perfect time for a tour.

I started woodworking about 10 years ago using hand tools in a corner of the garage in our first house. Over the years, I've built this into what it is now. Far from perfect, but also pretty great!

Having the opportunity to shoot a product video for a client in this space is a pretty wild smashing together of my professional and hobby worlds, tooo! 🤘 taken in Lees Summit, Missouri by @jaredmtohlen

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8 months ago

It's gonna be a busy week! Wearing my Creative Staff hat from @hoodzpahdesign to remind myself this is what I do 🤘

How do you stay on track during the week when you have a lot to do? (...asking for a friend, of course) by @jaredmtohlen

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8 months ago

Here's to less friction and more fun sharing about creativity, design, craft, and the outdoors.

Fighting fear and the perfectionist in me to share and create more is enough without equipment getting in the way. I had exciting ideas in the past but encountered too much friction when it came to capturing, pulling, and editing footage to share.

Not an ad, but I'd heard about this @dji Osmo Nano from @kirk.lepiten and was inspired by his recent work to grab one for myself. Really stoked about this little camera!

Now to conquer fears and just enjoy sharing with you all 🤘 by @jaredmtohlen

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8 months ago

My Polar gear and memories are on display at our local @mcplmo branch.

Back in the spring my wife, who works at our local library, had the idea for me to sign up to display my Polar gear and some photos. December was the earliest slot available at the time, so I took it. Today I was able to install the display! I packed amost all of my polar gear in, printed photos by @anetteanderssonphotography and @melanietoebbe, and designed some informational signs.

I'm so excited to share this with others and inspire them to enjoy nature, do hard things, and pursue something extraordinary!

#fjallravenpolar2025 @fjallravenofficial taken in Mid-Continent Public Library East Lee's Summit Branch by @jaredmtohlen

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10 months ago

Kansas City folks! I want to share more of my story in person with you. Would you be interested in attending if I gave a presentation sharing my @fjallravenofficial Polar story and experience in December?

In December I will have my Polar items, gear, and photos on display at @mcplmo East Lee's Summit branch for a few weeks. I had the idea to see if I can reserve the library's meeting room around that time to share my story, experience, photos and videos, and answer your questions.

Let me know if this sounds like something you would make it a point to join me for!

Photos:
1. The finals hours, crossing into Norway and descending to Signaldalen
2. @thephilhyland and I struggling with our stove the first night, photo by @melanietoebbe
3. Somewhere on the trail, in awe of the landscape and experience taken in Mid-Continent Public Library East Lee's Summit Branch by @jaredmtohlen

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a year ago