Skip Yowell, Co-Founder

Skip Yowell Nothing says, Skip Yowell, like the great outdoors. Skip along with two other colleagues founded JanSport in 1967, while in search of the perfect hiking pack. What began as a passion for climbing and hiking turned into the #1 selling day pack in the world. But Skip’s innovative ideas did not end there; he is also credited with creating the first dome tent, waist-suspension flexible frame pack, travel pack and the panel-load daypack. Today Skip holds the title of Vice President of Global Public Relations at JanSport and consults with JanSport international businesses in Europe, Asia and South America. Skip travels the world giving presentations and slide shows on the history of JanSport which include expeditions and adventure travel to Tibet Everest, Kangchenjunga, Kilimanjaro and many other destinations around the globe.
15Feb

The Key Ingredient to a Time Tested Recipe

By Skip Yowell

 
From the early days of traveling to sales calls in an old, blue van, JanSport has found CORDURA® brand fabric to be a key ingredient in a successful adventure. 

CORDURA® fabric was first used as a makeshift cover for the sunroof of the JanSport team’s old, blue van. Crafted using a blowtorch, grit and some durable canvas, we liked it so much (both the sunroof and the fabric!) that we bought a bolt of CORDURA® Classic fabric and began using it in prototype packs. We soon discovered the durable fabric could handle a lot of abuse, both on a climb and in the classroom, or anywhere in between.

Due to its popularity and loyal customer base, the JanSport Right Pack model was recently re-launched, once again featuring CORDURA® Classic fabric. Even today, the ever-popular JanSport daypack can be found serving students, both young and old. 

The Heritage Series, a modern reissue of the brand’s original backpack and travel silhouettes, further demonstrates the evergreen utility of JanSport products. Known for far more than just its daypacks, JanSport has provided gear for all types of adventures over the years, and still continues to do so today, with many of its classic products featuring the original ingredient, CORDURA® fabric.

Current products featuring CORDURA® brand fabric include:
Right Pack: http://www.jansport.com/js_product_detail.php?cid=0&pid=TRC8
Perfect Score: http://www.jansport.com/js_product_detail.php?cid=&pid=TUX9
High Stakes: http://www.jansport.com/js_product_detail.php?cid=&pid=TRS7
Splash Pack: http://www.jansport.com/js_product_detail.php?cid=0&pid=TRH1
Heritage Series: http://www.jansport.com/heritage_series/heritage_series.html

Take a look at your JanSport pack. Chances are, no matter the age, the key ingredient may be durable, versatile, reliable CORDURA® brand fabric—designed to withstand the test of time.

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22Oct

A JanSport Blast From The Past

By Skip Yowell


Pictured in photo from 1986 is me, Peter Whittaker, Amber Brookman and Lou Whittaker.

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01Oct

Summit for Someone Registration is Open!

By Skip Yowell

 
Summit for Someone is the climb series benefitting Big City Mountaineers’ kids.
Sign up today to climb one of 16 iconic peaks while raising funds for Big City Mountaineers, a non-profit organization that helps urban teens overcome the many life challenges they face in a walled inner-city upbringing.

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26Apr

BCM needs your help!

By Skip Yowell


Big City Mountaineers needs your help in getting $10,000 in donations in the next 3 weeks. Every $5, $10 and $400 donation right now is worth double, so please let folks know that every dollar counts and helps us save 2010 summer trips. Make a donation here now!

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24Mar

Help Big City Mountaineers receive a $25,000 grant

By Skip Yowell

The Pepsi Refresh Project is giving organizations and businesses the opportunity to win some serious cash by collecting votes. JanSport wants to help one of our partners, Big City Mountaineers (BCM), win a $25k grant, which will enable them to help more kids.

You may be asking yourself: Who is Big City Mountaineers?

We are delighted to have the opportunity to tell you who they are, as this is an organization we believe in deeply.  BCM is one of the largest non-profits in the country devoted to working exclusively with under-resourced teens by using the outdoors as a transformational element in their lives.  Here are some fun-facts about BCM:

  • BCM turns 21 this year.
  • They are based out of Denver, Colorado.
  • BCM runs its outdoor mentoring program in selected major urban centers throughout the country, with its largest program areas in Chicago, Denver and San Francisco.
  • Their goal is to reach 10,000 urban teens in the next 10 years.
  • Teens age 13-18 get a chance to try something new with adult role models.
  • Their programs are free and countless testimonials from teens indicate that they have been transformed throught their experience with BCM.

This isn’t just about “the outdoors” (although, their trips are REALLY cool).  This is about investing in students who may never have an opportunity to be mentored in such a positive, supported yet challenging environment. It’s an investment into someone’s future.

So, how do you vote? That’s really easy. Log onto: refresheverything.com. Enter “BCM” into the search engine and then click “vote for this idea”. You can vote up to 10 times per day, until March 31st. The top 10 organizations will each receive cash grants.

To learn more about BCM, visit: www.bigcitymountaineers.org.

Thanks in advance for clicking!

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