That’s a Shame

Eddie Bauer files for bankruptcy protection

As I said in this post about A&F:

FYI: Eddie Bauer used to be as revered. At one time they were THE outfitters for all the major Himalayan expeditions and the quality was unsurpassed. I still have my circa 1972, goose-down Karakorum -40º mummy bag. The label says “For the rest of your life” and they meant it.

I’d hoped they were starting the transition back to QUALITY expedition gear when one of their emails touted “Return to Everest!”

SEATTLE, WA – On the morning of May 19, two legendary mountaineers on the First Ascent “Return to Everest” expedition reached the highest point on Earth. Ed Viesturs and Peter Whittaker stood on the summit with members of their production crew before descending to High Camp at 26,000 feet. Forced to spend an extra 24 hours in the “death zone” while waiting for high winds and whiteout conditions to improve, the team began their final summit push around 11:00 p.m. on the evening of May 18. Their successful summit comes 46 years and 18 days after Whittaker’s uncle, Jim, became the first American to do so, on May 1, 1963.

The common thread between the two expeditions besides the Whittaker name: Eddie Bauer was the outfitter, then and now. First Ascent marks Eddie Bauer’s return to its heritage as America’s original expedition outfitter.

Why does every beancounter in the world want their store to be the GAP?

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