Mountain Hardwear Announces Expedition Sponsorship Recipients for 2010;
2009 recipient is named National Geographic Adventure’s Adventurer of the Year
Richmond, CA (February 10, 2010) – Mountain Hardwear, a leading mountaineering and outdoor clothing and equipment company, announces the recipients of the 2010 Expedition Sponsorship Program. Mountain Hardwear will give total of $10,000 to help fund five 2010 expeditions.
2010 Expedition Sponsorship Recipients
Latok I, North Ridge – David Falt, Krister Jonsson and Marco Koupiainen
The group will travel to Pakistan from July to August 2010 to attempt an alpine style first ascent of the North Ridge of Latok I (7145m), a 2500m climb comprising of complex, steep terrain through rock, ice and mixed climbing. The North Ridge of Latok I is one of the most notorious unfinished projects in the Himalayas. The team plans to carry enough supplies to last up to 15 days on the route, allowing them staying power to sit out potential bad weather. The team members each have roughly 20 years of climbing experience in Scandinavia, the Alps, Yosemite, Himalaya and Alaska.
Jankuth, West Face – Malcolm Bass and Pat Deavoll
From September to October 2010, the team of two will attempt a first ascent of Jankuth (6805m), in Northern India on the Gangotri Glacier. In September 2004, Pat, Malcolm and three others attempted the ascent, but were shut down on two different routes due to inclement weather. Inspired by Jankuth, the highest mountain left unclimbed in the Gangotri region, Pat and Malcolm will call upon the time honored Garwhal ethic of self sufficient exploration choosing a “fast and light” climbing approach.
Ski Kyrgyzstan 2010 – Nathan Rowland and Ollie Nieuwland-Zlotnicki
Ski mountaineers Nathan Rowland and Ollie Nieuwland-Zlotnicki, both current residents of Aspen, CO, will travel to Kyrgyzstan in May 2010 for a circumnavigation of the Al-Dyrtr and Kary Sars glaciers in the Tien-Shan Mountains with multiple first ascent and descent attempts. The project ventures into a remote area of Kyrgyzstan that has rarely been visited or explored.
Trek for a New Nepal – Allegra Fisher, Caroline Pihl and Sarah Mortati
Wilderness explorers Allegra, Caroline and Sarah plan to be the youngest women, and the first Americans, to complete a traverse of the Great Himalayan Trail in Nepal. From November 2010 to April 2011, their goal will be to traverse Nepal from east to west while documenting the educational and environmental development potential along the newly created 1,600km Nepali portion of the Great Himalayan Trail.
2 Wheels 4 Education – Eleanor Moseman
Beginning in April 2010, Eleanor, a photographer who has been living and working in China, will attempt to complete a year-long, solo bicycle journey around Asia while raising money and awareness for two charities, Girls Education International and Stepping Stones China. She plans to document the journey through China, Mongolia and Russia through her photography, a book, and eventually, a cycling guidebook. Eleanor was inspired to raise awareness for female equality after noticing the obvious differences in rights between the male and female genders, and the disadvantages most females face living in China. www.2wheels4girls.com
Team Leader for Operation Denali Is Named National Geographic Adventure’s Adventurer of the Year
2009 Expedition Sponsorship recipient, Marc Hoffmeister, the team leader for Operation Denali, was named one of National Geographic Adventure’s Adventurers of the Year. Operation Denali, an expedition of six wounded Iraq war veterans, sponsored in part by Mountain Hardwear and our Expedition Sponsorship Program, put an assault on Denali in June 2009. For more information about Operation Denali, visit the Mountain Hardwear blog: http://blog.mountainhardwear.
About the Expedition Sponsorship Program:
Mountain Hardwear was founded by a small group of people who are passionate about mountaineering, alpine adventures and outdoor activities. Mountain Hardwear's sponsorship program was founded to encourage people to explore the outdoors and to push our products to perform in physically demanding environments. The program gives equal consideration to all who apply, with a goal of motivating adventurers to follow their passions and chase their dreams.
ABOUT MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR:
Mountain Hardwear, Inc. makes cutting edge mountaineering and outdoor equipment, apparel and accessories for ultimate performance in extreme conditions. Established in 1993 by a group of outdoor industry veterans, Mountain Hardwear is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia Sportswear Company based in Richmond, Calif. Mountain Hardwear distributes its products through specialty outdoor and sporting goods retailers throughout the United States and over 40 countries worldwide. Mountain Hardwear has won numerous product and customer service awards since its inception, reflecting the company’s commitment and passion toward innovation. It’s our relentless drive to create the absolute best that makes us who we are. Mountain Hardwear. PERFORMANCE ELEVATED™. www.mountainhardwear.com
