At the age of 14 Patagonia's founder Yvon Chouinard got his first taste of climbing way back in 1953. By 1957 Yvon and a group of climbers from the Palm Springs area upped sticks and went to live in the rock climbing Mecca of Yosemite National Park.
By their own admission Patagonia can not knowingly make a mediocre product, they must strive to push clothing technology and performance as much as possible. Warmer and more light weight primaloft jackets, more effective waterproof and breathable fabrics. This must be done with one eye on the damage we can cause. We only have the one planet to live on. This pushed them to make the best and most environmentally sustainable clothing they can.