Out There Rewards, Kathmandu’s new loyalty program, is main the way in which in encouraging extra folks to get into the outside extra usually. Chris Ord joins a bunch of members in Victoria’s Wild West.
We Are Explorers acknowledges the Conventional Custodians of the International locations on which these adventures happen who’ve occupied and cared for these lands, waters, and their inhabitants for 1000’s of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was by no means ceded.
The affect of our hike isn’t felt most deeply whereas immersed within the wild west environs of Werribee Gorge State Park – a hidden gem of a canyon situated on the outskirts of Melbourne. No, the true resonance of the day’s outing rises to the floor whereas ensconced in a wilderness of concrete and commotion.
Standing in Melbourne’s CBD on Elizabeth Avenue, a bunch of 15 barely dusty Kathmandu Loyalty Program members stand smug in a bubble of satisfaction fuelled by the tangible connection of the day’s shared expertise. Whereas the world hustles round us, ebbing and flowing in a soiree of late afternoon Saturday purchasing, we are saying our goodbyes.
From Strangers to Buddies
Earlier within the day we have been strangers to at least one different as we shyly wandered by way of the entrance door of Kathmandu’s flagship Galleria Retailer. Barely eight hours and 8km later, we’re now confidently voicing our gratitude for being hosted, led and fed by our information, Adrian Infanti, from Take Form Adventures.
It was fairly apparent that this wasn’t his first rodeo
Quite a lot of hundred kilometres east within the Blue Mountains, one other group of barely reserved strangers from Sydney had an analogous day. As soon as once more the ability of nature labored its magic to deliver a disparate group collectively in document time. The hike ended with enthusiastic chatter and laughs over wine and cheese.
Past Gear: Supporting Out of doors Fans
As stewards of the outside, manufacturers like Kathmandu could make a major affect by directing their efforts past simply the availability of high quality gear. Finally, their raison d’etre is to assist folks to get pleasure from their time within the Nice Outdoor.
That is the place Kathmandu’s new Out There Rewards program hits the mark. It gives an accessible pathway for patrons to get pleasure from outside actions in a welcoming, secure, and entertaining method. Now rolling out throughout Australia, Out There Rewards excessive stage members can be supplied alternatives to attend unique occasions and experiences to assist them get outdoors extra usually.
Kathmandu remains to be about gear, however they’re additionally about facilitating connections between Explorers | @eandrewsphoto
For each the Melbourne and Sydney teams that headed out, various ranges of health, information and outside expertise of the contributors didn’t matter. Take Form Adventures and the Blue Mountains Eco Tour guides have been capable of stage the enjoying area on a brief stroll that supplied among the finest views every state has to supply.
Kathmandu’s drive is to maneuver past a typical reward-for-spend method to at least one centered on inspiring and connecting with folks, most particularly these in the beginning of their open air journey. The Out There Rewards program gives facilitated group actions designed as a stepping stone for folks eager to broaden their open air expertise in a means that doesn’t push boundaries too laborious, too quick.
The route by way of Werribee Gorge had simply sufficient problem for us to really feel pleased with our effort with out being an excessive amount of
A Deeper Reference to Nature
Certainly, the main target throughout our tour was much less wild and extra pleasantly gentle within the type of straightforward strolling, frequent mindfulness stops, trustworthy conversations, and interesting interpretations of the bodily and cultural landscapes. We heard explanations about large tectonic rock formations to Conventional Proprietor heritage, and have been tasked with matching color swabs to ‘something in nature’.
If this sounds unusual, all of it turns into clear after you hear our information Adrian clarify.
‘The idea is to slow things down and reveal the nuance and beauty of nature. The exercise encourages you to actively notice the myriad of colours around you and realise that it’s not all simply straight inexperienced and brown!’
A session of closed-eye mindfulness standing nonetheless on a riverbank additional emphasises the sounds and smells of the atmosphere, encouraging everybody to attach even deeper within the second. Guiding is just not merely an artwork of navigating the path, it’s additionally certainly one of facilitating significant reference to nature and with others.
It’s wonderful what you discover if you consciously pause
Within the Blue Mountains, educated guides Paul and Jen elevated the expertise of a humble stroll in nature by equipping contributors with information about native natural world, and serving to them perceive the impacts of bushfires.
How good’s a little bit of native information? | @eandrewsphoto
‘We believe we can play a role in removing barriers and showing that the Great Outdoors is for anyone and everyone at any time’, stated Elaine Nguyen, our Kathmandu host. ‘The Rewards program is at the heart of that.’
Equally, the genius of Kathmandu’s Out There Rewards program can be fostering much-needed human connection nurtured within the crucible of significant landscapes like Victoria’s Werribee Gorge and NSW’s Blue Mountains.
Out There Rewards Program Particulars
There are many causes to enroll to Kathmandu’s Out There Rewards program, from birthday vouchers, to entry to AllTrails+ for Stage 1, 2, and three members, particular offers, and free supply on purchases.
With every greater stage you earn greater and higher rewards. However the perfect factor is you earn factors to stage up not simply by spending, however by merely getting out into nature and doing stuff. Spend in-store or on-line ($1 = 1 level) or spend time on the market in nature (1 exercise = 10 factors).
That’s not a typo by the way in which, Kathmandu is providing extra factors for time in nature than {dollars} spent in retailer. That’s mission over earnings proper there.
Getting by with a little bit assist from new associates and a model that cares
