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kristotorgersen

@kristotorgersen

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building products for getting after it. <-><-><-><-> Santa Barbara, CA

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Yesterday was the 5y anniversary of the worst decision of my life - one that almost cost me everything and ended it all.

Many, but not all know that I triggered, and was caught in a significant avalanche in Mammoth on that day. The details are too extensive to share here, but I, along with my partners from that day shared our story as part of a full debrief later that season in 2021 with @esavalanche.

Enough time has passed that the raw nerve feelings associated with the event are less so. Though when I give myself space drift back (or force myself) to the event, I remember it was the scariest thing that has ever happened to me. What felt conscious and calculated in one moment turned to uncontrollable and violent in the next.

Whether I was capable, lucky, or a combination of the two will never be known, but thankfully I was able to keep myself from going full path. Instead, I threw myself around a tree and hoped for the best.

After the powder cloud settled more uncertainty set in for myself and my partners. I was alive and could stand. I was in pain but could side slip and knew we needed to move while I still could - a rescue would be a long wait and nightmarish so the best option was self-evac, which we did.

A little over an hour later my wife dropped me off at Mammoth Hospital where it was discovered I had a collapsed lung, broken rib, and transverse process. They removed a 1” chunk of tree branch from my right quad and held me for the night for observation.

My daughter wasn’t quite 2yo and my son would be born in two months. WTF?!?!

How did this happen? How did I get here with 20+ years of backcountry experience and formal education? How and why did I survive? So many questions…

The community had them too. Before they knew who it was that was involved, many judged, criticized, and played armchair quarterback - and fair enough. Some called for my resignation from @esavalanche. Thankfully, many others came to support and show up in a way that would help me and our family through one of the scariest times of our life.

Now, 5y later, I can still remember how scary that was. It’s also easy to see how many mistakes were made. It changed me…..

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Mountains, music and special friends from CU Boulder on Folsom Field. Heart is full 🫶 So much love to my girl @alibaron17 for a beautiful trip to my favorite place Colorado. Magical to be back! Most fun ⭕️💙⛰️🍄 🦬 @phish @decaturkaters @carmicas @instaastock @goodnightmairs @ryanseeb @alibaron17 @gemneyecreations @kristotorgersen @zeidlerjordan @cuboulder @cubuffs @viewcolorado @bouldercolorado @cityofboulder @colorado_love

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Santa Barbara was a dream, but Renate’s pose in pic #1 was the highlight 🤩🔥❤️☀️

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After a decent hiatus from the long form, best-enjoyed-in-a-dark-room, kind of flick, we're here to release our latest, The Meaningless Pursuit of Snow.

Behind the cameras and lenses, the most meaningful part of the Meaningless was getting to know the unique souls who've committed their lives to snow. Though they come from distant places with vastly different backgrounds, they're all chasing the same essentials: a connection to nature, the joy of the struggle, and a community in the mountains they call home. We suspect this might resonate with a few of you out there, maybe even leave you with some interesting thoughts or questions to go into winter with. A new line of inspiration. We've come to love these people, and now, without needing to get on a plane, or even in a car, you too can feel that love.
At your fingertips, available in your living room, whenever you choose to pursuit our pursuit of the Meaningless Pursuit. In time for cozy season, early winter, curl up in a blanket kinda stuff.

A huge thank you to all the above folks, and the large collective of creatives who came together to help shape this ol thang. Link in bio. Enjoy. @patagonia

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Kat here… I was just a little pregnant in these photos helping very dear friends marry on a mountaintop farm overlooking the Pacific. I grew up in a small town where things were fairly simple. We weren’t fancy people and yet I was taught how to set a table, eat with manners and how to delicately know the difference between refinement and excess. (Thank you Mama Dayle) To me, a perfect event balances beauty with comfort. I don’t ever want to get so fancy that guests can’t settle in, talk to each other and linger in the sweetness. It’s important to know the flowers, know the place and get to know the person you are sitting next to. Emilie and Kristo, your wedding still rings true to me and who I am as a person (and as a wedding planner.) I’ll never forget the feeling of your wedding and specialness of this day. Thank you.

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Happy 1 month birthday, Wes! 🎉 Our hearts are bursting and our family feels complete with you here 💞@emilieleelee is a natural momma, and big brother Torren has been patient and proud. Dreaming of our family adventures ahead 💫

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🌲Dang Vermont🌲

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@kristotorgersen with the sloping, intimidating, but oh so good top out. Can’t recall the name or grade of this one, but it sure was fun. @patagonia @patagonia_climb #bouldering #climbing #friends

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A friendly reminder to appreciate the people in and the places of your life. In the moment and without reservation.

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@patagonia team meeting was a unique opportunity to meet some really inspiring climbers, designers, activists, … and dive into the way of working of this company.

Couple of days with employees and ambassadors from US and Europe to discuss about future products, marketing campaigns and activism actions … 🤓 but also to climb together, share passion and spend good times in Red River Gorge ! ☕️🍻🍕

I’m really proud to represent this company daily committed for the environment and I hope my contribution to those workshops as an environmental engineer would sow some seeds to go further. 🌱 #weareanactivistcompany

Huge thanks to everyone involved in this event !!

@patagonia_climb @patagonia @patagoniaeurope @team_edelrid @blockoutvitrolles @lokkikombucha @myleoremagnesie

#climbing #rockclimbing #sportsclimbing #climbingcommunity #climbing_is_my_passion #climbinginspiration #climbingtrip #redrivergorge #rrgclimbing #climbgreen

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It’s been a long time since the last @patagonia Ambassador off-site, so this one was special.

Great week of climbing and product with fellow Ambassadors and the design/marketing crew from Ventura in the Red River Gorge. Was great to see you all and a big thanks to everyone.

Credit: @andrew_burr
@patagonia_climb

#patagonia #patagoniaambassadors

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What a way to end and incredible time in Kentucky 🇺🇸 🏄‍♂️ ☝️😎👆

After a week of working and climbing with some of the best product developers, creatives, marketers and athletes in the outdoor industry, we finished on a high at @miguelsclimbshop with some incredible presentations from my fellow ambassadors, and then let loose Patagonia style!!!

Thank you Kentucky and Red River Gorge community - hope to return again one day! 😘 🇺🇸 🧗‍♀️

🎥: @jaimee_redfern

@patagonia_climb @patagonia

#redrivergorge #kentucky #partyanimal #climbing #rockclimbing #sportclimbing #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #climbing_is_my_passion #climbing_lovers #climbing_worldwide

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