About a year and a half ago, I made the journey up to Seattle to meet with Don Wittenberger, the owner of Rivendell Mountain Works, and Eric Hardee, the Wizard in Residence. I traveled up into the foothills of the Cascades following nameless dirt roads and written directions to the Hardee’s log cabin they built by hand over eight years with wood from their forest land.
After a warm welcome from Eric and Diane, we sat down in the workshop to build packs over the next couple days. Working with the original patterns and sewing machine from the 1970s by the warmth of the wood stove took me back in time. The classic construction techniques were different than I am used to- in some ways simpler and in other ways more complicated. As I watched Eric craft the packs to life, I knew I had big shoes to fill.
I also spent several hours with Don learning about the history of Rivendell Mountain Works, including the ups and downs over the years. It was at that meeting that he sold the company to me. And, of course, we took the time to pitch a Bombshelter to marvel at its design.
Next week, I’ll head back to Seattle to meet with Eric and Don again to learn more from them and to pick up patterns, materials, and, yes, the hand-carved sign that used to hang outside the old white church in Victor, Idaho. It’s a huge honor to carry a storied brand like Rivendell Mountain works into the future.
0 comments