Discover Apuan Alps

Between one ride and the other, without any terrain limits, Federico is a photographer and videomaker in the outdoor and board sports sector. He applies all his knowledge in the field to take care of the communication of the Italian Skateboard Federation, from shooting to managing social media: in this way he can continue to do what he loves most, traveling, taking pictures, experiencing the outdoors and board sports. Instead Sara Caulfield takes no break. She has been traveling all her life, jumping from metropolis to remote islands. Born in Rome, she studied in Tokyo and explored many areas of Asia, both for passion and for work. She now works in Milan as a content creator, event consultant and travel designer, continuing to travel looking for new adventures to tell her followers.

What are they doing together on the Apuan Alps? Both of them have been collaborating with Vans for a long time, so what better place to test the new Vans Ultrarange Exo Hi Gore-Tex Mte 3, and really get to know each other away from social networks?

You both travel a lot, mostly to amazing places. What is the place that you’ll always keep in your heart?
Federico: Of all the places I visited, the one I loved the most of is definitely Japan: it is the  only place I visited for three years in a row, each time staying there a couple of months. During the first trip I joined a local freeriding crew and Hokkaido became my second home. Two of the guys even came to visit me in Tuscany! Also, even if I haven’t been to Japan for a few years, I know that there is always someone there waiting for me with open arms. Then snow is incredible both in quality and quantity, you can’t help but love Hokkaido!

Sara: I like to visit alternative and particular places, where few people go and there is a lot to discover. A trip that has remained in my heart was the one in Georgia: during my stay in the country I went on a four-day trek sleeping in the Georgians’ house surrounded by breathtaking mountains. Another magical place is Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago rich in islets. I went there in May, a month that allowed me to savor the feeling you get when there is the famous midnight sun.

Fede, in what places did you trace the most epic line?
I found the best snow in Japan and the most technical descents in Alaska, but the most epic curve was this year in the mountains close to my home. The most epic line, on the other hand, was the one I traced in Noosa, Australia.

Sara, what does it mean to be a hardcore traveler?
I jokingly define myself as a hardcore traveler because I literally travel with a hardcore mood: very tight deadlines, many kilometers, early wake up calls. In my travels I don’t do  coffee breaks, I’m always on the move and looking for unexplored places: I love to show the people who follow me different and little known places.

You both collaborate with Vans, what do you like about its products and philosophy?
Federico: I have been lucky enough to collaborate with them for several years, first on a more continuous basis as a team manager for skateboarding and now as a photographer for some projects related to surfing and the outdoors. I have always loved the brand, both for its heritage and for the style of its products: I come from the hardcore scene and from the 90s skateboarding, and Vans is deeply rooted in that environment. I also really appreciate its philosophy, I see fewer and fewer brands in skateboarding sector supporting national riders and projects: Vans is still there, supporting local realities and pro skaters. It really gives something back to the scene where it comes from, resulting in a huge added value to the quality of its products.

Sara: I have been wearing Vans shoes and clothes for at least 15/20 years and I am very happy to be able to collaborate with them! As a die-hard fan, I always believe in recommending Vans to people, as I did for the UltraRange Exo after trying them. I like that the company is on track with regards to reducing CO2 emissions, also because I’m also trying to do my part by living as much as possible in respect of nature, raising awareness on the subject.

Fede, I think we can define the Apuan Alps as one of your home resorts. Is it your first time here Sara?
Federico: Apuan Alps are my home mountains. I learned to know them, I appreciated their beauty and I began to explore them. The sea views are priceless and, unlike the Apennines, the morphology is alpine and the environment is austere. But true love was born last year, thanks to split boarding. I discovered a new dimension: where in Italy can you snowboard and surf in the same day or go down to the powder just a few kilometers from the sea?

Sara: I had never been here but I loved the place! The hike has been super challenging and the rock was very exposed but it was worth it because the view is crazy.

Here you had the chance to test Vans Ultrarange Exo Hi Gore-Tex Mte 3, what was your feeling?
Federico: The first impact with Ultrarange Exo was the aesthetic one: they are really beautiful! They maintain the classic Vans style with a right outdoor and trekking twist. The feeling on the feet is excellent and the thing that struck me most is the grip: I tested them in fairly critical situations and they worked very well. I can’t say much about how warm they are because the day wasn’t cold, but thanks to PrimaLoft padding everything went well. In addition we all know that Gore-Tex is a guarantee when it come to waterproofness.

Sara: I loved them! Super comfortable and soft, a unique feeling. Although there was mud, wet and slippery sections they performed very well. The grip is crazy, it ensured adherence to the rock making me feel safe all times.

Your next adventure?
Federico: As I answer these questions I am on my way to take a flight to Peru, it will be a backpacking, trekking and surfing trip. There you can also practice snowboarding but given the difficult organization I prefer to think only about surfing and concentrate on the snow when I’ll come back to Italy. On the other hand, there are many projects for the winter but you will see them on my Instagram profile!

Sara: I’ll be visiting Seville shortly, I like the idea of living for a while immersed in an Arabian mood. Shortly afterwards I will fly to Canaries Islands for a collaboration and I will be able to use a car to travel around the island of Gran Canaria, where a lot of trekking awaits me, I can’t wait!