In January 1973 we rented a 1000 sq foot shop, put in a sewing machine and a cutting/assembly table and tried to decide what to make. Our first product was a gaitor to keep snow out of boots. A distributor, EIGER MOUNTAIN SPORTS ordered 1000.

Then the same distributor wanted backpacks to replace their imported line. Greg designed a collection and we showed the distributor. By then he was receiving shipments from the European manufacturer MILET so did not what ours. Greg showed them to a local mountaineering store, WEST RIDGE and the owner, Don Lauria ordered a few. We were in the backpack business.