Hardwear Sessions

MH Outdry Gloves Received SnowPress Innovation Award

Mountain Hardwear Gloves with OutDry received innovation award during the SIA show.

Mountain Hardwear Outdry Gloves

Read the Full article. View Mountain Hardwear Outdry Gloves.

Ueli Steck Speed Solo of the Ginat on the Droites

On the 19th January Ueli Steck arrived for first lift at the bottom of the Grands Montets after a long drive from Bern where he had been working in a seminar. Kitted up, he headed over towards the Droites north face and soloed up the classic Ginat route in 2.08 hrs. Compared to his other speed ascents this might not seem like cutting edge but then he wasnt acclimatized and he hadn't done any alpine climbing of any note for over two months now. This ascent was for "fun" as he put it- not to break any speed records. *Click images to enlarge

Mountain Hardwear Athlete Ueli Steck doing what he does best.

*Look for the Cholatse Pant and alpine specific Artero Jacket in the fall. Similar products are the New Mountain Hardwear Escape Pants and Beryllium Jacket.

Continue reading "Ueli Steck Speed Solo of the Ginat on the Droites" »

MH Supports Amputee & Paraplegic Ascent of Kiliminjaro

Two challenged athletes, paraplegic Erica Davis and below-the-knee amputee Tara Butcher, along with their crew and teammates, have successfully summited Mt. Kiliminjaro in Tanzania. The crew, with support from the Chek Institute, Mountain Hardwear, Overstock.com and many others, climbed the peak to raise awareness for individuals with physical challenges and to raise money for the Challenged Athletes Foundation. In doing so, Erica has become the first female paraplegic to summit Mt. Kiliminjaro. The trip will be documented in video in a film to be released later this year, Through the Roof. Look for it at a film festival near you in late 2010 and early 2011. Feeling generous this year? Make a donation to help support the cause.

Visit the Expedition blog

Through the Roof - TEASER from Captured Life Productions on Vimeo.

Ski The Himalayas Re-turns

Mountain Hardwear Athlete, Ben Clark, Josh Butson and Jon Miller travelled to Nepal to explore the culture, it's steep terrain and to ski. The three witnessed an authentic glimpse into the unspoiled heights of the world's most massive mountains.

Ski The Himalayas Introduction from Ben Clark on Vimeo.

Episode 001

"Honk, they'll get out of the way" is the insiders look at the first of 14 episodes of raw footage used in the upcoming Ski The Himalayas film. Ben Clark, Jon Miller and Josh Butson travel through Hong Kong, Kathmandu and into the remote village of Tumlingtar in Nepal. Clark interviews the group and locals developing a look at modern day Nepal and the "last town with an airport" as the team begins the 17 day approach to 23,390' Baruntse.

Ski The Himalayas Episode 001 from Ben Clark on Vimeo.

Marc Hoffmeister, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year

Summiting Denali is hard. But try telling that Iraq war vet Marc Hoffmeister, who led a team of veterans and amputees to the top this past summer.
>> View the photo gallery, video and full story here.

Marc Hoffmeister, Veteran

Marc Hoffmeister,Team Leader Operation Denali

Previous Hardwear Sessions Posts
November 13, 2099 :Operation Denali Mission Complete!
April 7, 2009: Operation Denali

National Geographic also features Skyledge 2.1 in their Best of Adventure: Must-Have Gear.

Did you see the Bachelor using MH last night?

The Bachelor Falls in Love with Mountain Hardwear!

Are you searching for love ....of the right product for your activities? Mountain Hardwear is willing to spread the love.

Click here to view the episode >>On the Wings of Love.

Jake falls in love with Mountain Hardwear

ABC's THE BACHELOR: On the Wings of Love

Mountain Hardwear products seen in this episode are: Satellite 6, Women's Typhoon Jacket, Compressor PL Jacket , Women's Nitrous Jacket.

V10 Climb in Pisgah Nation Forest, NC

Vortex, North Carolina from Thomas C. Webb on Vimeo.

Vortex sits on Sassafras Knob in the Pisgah National Forest outside of Boone, NC. It was first discovered by Zach Lesch-Huie but was first climbed with the collaborative effects of Mountain Hardwear sponsored Southeast Climbing Team, Pat Goodman and Pat Stone. Vortex stands at an intimidating 17 feet tall and is given the grade of V10. Shown in this video comp crusher Alex Johnson, plus North Carolinians Pat Goodman and Jessa Goebel get sucked into the magical, mystical Vortex.

>>Carolina Bouldering & Climbing Gyms

>>Northeast Bouldering & Climbing Gyms

Haiti Earthquake Response - Collection Drive

Anna Jaques Hospital, their affiliate Partners in Development and Jim Ansara are organizing a collection drive for tents and sleeping bags (or money to purchase the same and help with shipping) to aid the tens of thousands of displaced and injured people in Haiti. Along with clean water, food and medical supplies, temporary shelter is desperately needed. Used tents as long as they are functional, and lightweight sleeping bags are fine and of course new tents and sleeping bags from any of our outdoor industry friends would be ideal. Since the climate is hot, lightweight sleeping bags are preferable and larger, camping style tents would be best but anything will be used. Mark Richey Wood in Boston, MA is working as the collection center, check all equipment and prepare for shipping to Haiti. Please help!

Mark Richey Woodworking 40 Parker Street, Newburyport, MA

Read By Robert Mackey article on the New York Times for the Latest Updates on Rescue and Recovery in Haiti.

Ouray Ice Fest 2010 - MH Alpine Climbing Gear

Mountain Hardwear attended the ice climbing community's favorite gathering,
The 2010 Ouray Ice Festival

icefest

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Continue reading "Ouray Ice Fest 2010 - MH Alpine Climbing Gear" »

MW Climber, Ethan Pringle Gives His Secret Away to SF Mag

Ethan Pringle sfmag cover

Ethan Pringle on the cover of San Francisco Magazine

Leslie Crawford mentions Mountain Hardwear Climber, Ethan Pringle in her San Francisco Magazine article, How to get this healthy

Bay Area overachievers--from world-class rock climbers to star artists, bakers, and CEOs--reveal the health and fitness gurus who heal their battle wounds and keep them going strong. Read the full article here.

Mountain Hardwear Climber, Ethan Pringle

Mountain Hardwear Athlete, Ethan Pringle | Photo by John Dickey

Visit Ethanpringle.com to read more of Ethan's thoughts or visit Mountain Hardwear to view his favorite gear.

ESPNOutdoors.com Compliments Beryllium Jacket, Exposure Bib & Compressor Pant

Reviewed by Kevin Short, ESPNOutdoors.com

The Beryllium Jacket, Exposure II Bib and Compressor Pant were all mentioned in this glowing review on ESPNOutdoors.com:

Beryllium Jacket

"Three layer Gore-Tex ProShell, simple zip pockets, no big flappy bellows pockets, and it weighed a whopping 18 ounces. 18 ounces as opposed to 46 ounces for one of the big box store jackets that I had been wearing is a huge difference. All that extra weight built into a shell does not equal more warmth or wind resistance, it simply adds more weight that you're carrying around every minute you have it on your back. Ever wonder why your shoulders and neck hurt at the end of a long day's fishing?"

Exposure II Bib

"The Exposure uses Mountain Hardwear's proprietary waterproof/breathable laminate, as opposed to Gore-Tex. I saved a little money on the bibs (since most of the sweating you do is in your feet and your upper body, why go for the higher dollar Gore-Tex on bibs?) that I put into the jacket. The weight on the Exposure is about the same as any multi-layered bibs with full zips. Again, all those layers and all those zippers add on the ounces."

"The purpose of the layer next to your skin, the base layer, is to pull moisture away from your body. A wet body is a cool body -- that's the reason you sweat, to cool your temperature. If you leave too much moisture on the skin's surface, you'll cool down too much and be cold, thus the need for a base layer. I've long worn polypropylene as my base layer. I've tried everything from high dollar Patagonia to the cheap stuff....Read more."

Compressor Pant

"For bottoms, I'll wear fleece pants or a pair of Compressor pants from Mountain Hardwear over the Icebreakers.This combo is toasty warm for most days. If the wind is howling, I'll add the bibs and shell layer to top it all off, keep the wind out and seal in the heat."

Mike Libecki Tackles Granite Towers on Remote Island

Year of the Ox Expeditions
By Mountain Hardwear Athlete, Mike Libecki

What an amazing year of expeditions for Year of the Ox in 2009! Here are some of the moments and visions from expeditions to fantastic Earth, from places that create the sweetness of life, and ultimate moments of living in the 'now.' They are like places right out of my daughter's fairy tale books, places like this inspire ancient tales of old. I went to two remote corners of the planet: Northwest China Solo and the absolute fantasy-land Socotra Island in the country of Yemen with my dear friend and best adventure partner Josh Helling, check it out:

Greetings from Libecki. I am just back from one of the most amazing expeditions of my life, back from a land of true fairytale status, seriously, from an island that is home to ancient granite towers and over 300 endemic species of plant, animal and insect life, with a culture that has not changed its ways for thousands of years, a fantasy land, that, for today's day of explorers is still (at least it was!) virgin, unseen, and holds the variable that adventure cannot exist without: Mystery. Even Sinbad the Sailor is rumored to have been here and battled huge dragon-like birds as they destroyed his ship.

Mike Libecki

Hanging in the "lost world". | Photo by Mike Libecki

My partner Josh Helling and I were the first climbers to step foot upon this Mystery Island. We made it to the top of its two highest rock towers and embraced its utterly-lost-world ambience. When I was there, I kept thinking back to when I was a kid, hearing Tattoo on the television yelling in a strange foreign accent, 'The plane, the plane," then hearing the famous host of the island, Ricardo Montebaum, announce ever so seductively, "Welcome to Fantasy Island." That is exactly what happened. Stay tuned for the full story, amazing photos that are like nothing you have seen before, and the full-length movie now in the edit room under creative manipulation.

Mike Libecki in Socotra

Mike taking it all in, in his portaledge. | Photo Courtesy of Mike Libecki

Mike Libecki in Socotra

Mike climbing the granite towers on the remote island. | Photo by Mike Libecki

Mike Libecki summits Socotra

Year of the Ox Expeditions

Mike summits one of two first ascents he bagged during his trip to Socotra | Photo by Mike Libecki

This Island is called Socotra, it is off the coast of the country of Yemen, trust me, you don't want miss the story and movie coming soon to MountainHardwear.com, it is the most unique place I have ever been to and I feel obligated to share this fantastic area of our planet for all to enjoy and embrace. Oh yeah, and we just got out of Yemen before the political war mayhem broke out, we narrowly escaped being taken by the locals...

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

*In the above photos Mike is wearing the Correra Jacket. Look for it in the Fall 2010 line.

On to the China Expedition

Continue reading "Mike Libecki Tackles Granite Towers on Remote Island " »

OutDry...The Latest/Greatest in Glove Waterproofing?

Steve Romeo's Website, dedicated to Backcountry Skiing and Ski Mountaineering in Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park, posted an OutDry experiment..

By randosteve, December 30th, 2009: Tetonat.com

OutDry Glove Technology from Kara Armano on Vimeo.

There has been a lot of chatter about a new glove waterproofing technology coming out of Italy these days called OutDry, which completely laminates a waterproof membrane to the outer shell of a glove. This is different from other technologies used by GORE and Polartec, in that most other membranes are attached to the shell of the glove by only the finger tips and base...near the cuff. OutDry claims that since there are less places for "dead air" (and water vapor) to accumulate, gloves made with OutDry will be more waterproof, as well as more breathable and durable.


Typhon Backcountry	Women's Echidna Backcountry	Epic Backcountry	Women's Epic Backcountry

Bazuka Snowsports	Jalapeno Snowsports	Guajillo Snowsports	Women's Pasilla Snowsports

Medusa Alpine Climbing	Medusa Mitt Alpine Climbing	Hydra Alpine Climbing

From what I can tell, so far, only one US company, Mountain Hardwear, currently uses this process to make their gloves. I was lucky enough to get a pair of gloves made with OutDry before my trip to Antarctica and Aconcagua, some Mountain Hardwear Medusa Gloves. Though the weather was too warm and sunny (thank you very much) to really need and use a warm glove in Antarctica, and too dry to really test the waterproofness of the gloves on Aconcagua, I have been doing my best to run them through the ringer since I've been back. To start out with, the workmanship of these gloves is.....read the full article here.

Bazuka Gloves A Blast for Waterproof Defense

Written up in the 12-20-09 Denver Post, the Bazuka Gloves deliver for waterproof breathability. "Gore-Tex has pretty much set the standard in breathable waterproof membranes for the past three decades, but the patented OutDry membrane found in Mountain Hardwear's Bazuka Gloves (MSRP: $170) is aiming to raise the bar." Read the whole review!

Enlarge image

Our most technical insulated glove for snowsport professionals, with OutDry® Waterproof Technology for extreme environments. We bond the waterproof, breathable OutDry® membrane to a full-leather body, sealing out water, wind, and cold. Insulated with Thermic Micro™. Full leather fingers and palm, with molded, closed cell foam protection on back of hand and knuckles. Learn more about the Bazuka Gloves here.

Ice, Ice Baby!

Dawn Glanc will be participating in this year's Ouray Ice Festival!

Mountain Hardwear Ice Climber, Dawn Glanc | Photo by Jason Watt

Once again Mountain Hardwear is psyched to represent the world of ice climbing at the famed Ouray Ice Festival in the "Switzerland of the Rockies", Ouray, Colorado. Come out for clinics from some of the world's top climbers and enjoy watching the competition, slideshows and presentations. Mountain Hardwear Athlete, Dawn Glanc will be attending the clinic and will also be competing on Saturday, to try and defend her title!!! What fans will be attending the Ice Festival on the Mountain Hardwear Facebook?

Dawn is chillin' in the Mountain Hardwear Women's Annamite Jacket:

Best of Adventure - Skyledge 2.1 garners award!

Skyledge 2.1 receives award in December 09-January 10 National Geographic Adventure. Reported as "must have" gear, and one of the most groundbreaking products of 2010."

The Skyledge is a compact, freestanding, three season tent designed for the serious backcountry user. An all-mesh canopy reduces weight and allows superb visibility and ventilation. Learn more here.

Groundbreaking Products of 2010!

Men's Journal Dec 09-Jan 10 just came out with their Gear of the Year! Mountain Hardwear cleans up in two categories. The Refugium Jacket for Best New Technology and the Intention 75 for Best Backpack.

The comfort-oriented Intention is designed for large loads and long days on the trail. The secret to the pack's suspension is our custom-shapeable Fit-Lock™ hipbelt, which wraps around the framesheet to draw the load tight, providing excellent balance and load transfer. Check out Mountain Hardwear's Intention 75.

Refugium reviewed by John Boy Walton, " This jacket is the bomb! The light weight, warmth and fit are good if not better than any mid-layer piece I've worn, but it's what's inside that really rocks." Read the whole review at Trailspace.com. Among the most popular gifts this season is the Mountain Hardwear Refugium and Radiance heated jackets, employing Ardica heat technology. Check it out in Mountain Gear's press release!

Heat your core - charge your electronics. This lightly insulated, low profile jacket comes pre-wired for Ardica Heat and Power Technology. Wear alone, or under a shell for extraordinary warmth and charge portable electronics on the go. Check out the Refugium Jacket

The Story Behind the Blind and Naked Climbing Video

By Mountain Hardwear Climber/Mountaineer Erik Weihenmayer

In November, I finally got the chance to climb Eldorado Canyon's Naked Edge, one of my hardest climbs so far. I teamed up with Brady Robinson, the Executive Director of the Access Fund, who led most of the route. Charley Mace also joined us. He is my longtime climbing partner and Everest teammate who climbed above, shouting directions to vital holds I needed to find with my scanning hands. This spectacular route follows the sharp vertical prow of the 700-foot Redgarden Wall.

Naked Edge Route

The Naked Edge Route | Photo by Kris Gorney

The Naked Edge was first climbed in 1962 by the legendary Layton Kor and Bob Culp--at the time a major achievement in North American climbing. It took nearly a decade for two climbers, Jim Erickson and Duncan Ferguson, to ascend the route completely free (just using the rock). Since then, it has become an icon in the climbing world and the "Edge" remains a test of skill, technique and endurance.

It was over a beer when Brady asked me if I wanted to climb it with him. I felt that familiar knot in my stomach from nervous anticipation. The Naked Edge is something I have dreamed about for a long time. It's just up the road from my house and is definitely on the list for any serious climber. There has always been a part of me that has felt I wasn't ready and that I wasn't in good enough shape but some times you have to reach out and take the challenge.

The excitement begins on the first pitch, a classic 5.11a finger crack in a shallow corner. I climbed the lower part without any problem. At the crux, I struggled to find the tricky footholds on the face and finger holds in the crack so I just punched it for the anchors. I almost made it but fell right near the top.

Naked Edge Cave

Erik's first pitch, a classic 5.11a finger crack. | Photo by Cedar Wright

The fourth pitch is where things really start to heat up. Almost immediately it requires five or six very technical moves to a challenging "bomb-bay" chimney, which is narrow at the top and widens at the bottom to a huge void. Brady belayed from above and Charley belayed from below to prevent me from swinging into space. As always, I didn't climb it the easiest way. I had to lock off on slopey crimpers with one hand as I urgently scanned for the next hold with my other. I can't see anything above me in order to map out my route, so for me, it's one reach at a time. On a big overhang like this, I only have so much strength. Thus there came a point when I decided to go for it and use whatever I found the quickest. I fell about eight feet before the anchor but surprised myself how far I got.

The fifth pitch strikes fear into the hearts of climbers. It started out with intricate moves traversing directly right. Similar to the last pitch, a fall here would swing me far into space. Stepping around a corner, I was soon faced with an overhanging, slippery, and flaired crack that was a little bigger than my fist. I knew I wasn't finding the small key foot holds so I just jammed my feet and fists in and climbed the crack straight on. I fell a couple times on this section and felt this was definitely the crux of the route.

Naked Edge Dramatic 5th pitch

The fifth pitch strikes fear into the hearts of climbers. | Photo by Cedar Wright

With the hardest climbing out of the way, I took over the "sharp end of the rope" and led the final pitch to the summit. Leading is the most difficult and dangerous part of climbing, where a fall means more serious consequences. As nerve wracking as it is climbing high above your anchors, 700 feet off the ground with a river roaring far below, there is the true sense of adventure that has always excited me.

Erik's Naked Edge Summit

Erik, Charley Mace and Brady Robinson at the top of the Naked Edge. | Photo by Charley Mace

After the video made by Cedar Wright was posted on the Internet, online forums such as Rockclimbing.com (Click here to add to the climbing discussion) and SuperTopo.com (Click here to add to the climbing discussion) were filled with comments of congratulations. There were even some words of praise from Veteran Naked Edge climbers. Well-known writer Dougald MacDonald labeled the ascent a contender for "Rock Climbing Feat of the Year."

So far, the video has been viewed almost 10,000 times in just a couple of weeks. The story was even picked up by the Huffington Post. Click here to view Mountain Hardwear Facebook discussions.

Check out the fantastic video of the climb:

Equally amazing is the fact that this climb was nearly destroyed only a few years after its first free ascent. In the late 1970's the owners of Eldorado Canyon were on the verge of selling the entire valley to a gravel company that hoped to turn it into a quarry. A community uproar led to the purchase of the land and the creation of Eldorado Canyon State Park.

One goal of my Naked Edge ascent was to bring attention to the Access Fund, a grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to preserving climbing areas around the nation. Supported entirely by memberships and donations, they purchase land, build trails, and restore habitat so climbers and nature lovers can continue to enjoy our national treasures. I think it's the responsibility of every climber to become a member. I hope you will watch the dramatic video of the ascent and get inspired to become a member of the Access Fund. This is my challenge to all those who love our open spaces.

View December 18th Hardwear Sessions blog post, Erik Weihenmayer Climbs the Naked Edge in Eldorado Canyon, CO, for Erik's favorite Mountain Hardwear gear.

Flip Flop, Flip Flop

Flip-Flop, Flip-Flop; The Sounds of Long Range Models

Ken Clark wrote in his AccuWeather.com Blog Flip-Flop, Flip-Flop; The Sounds of Long Range Models, "It has been a frustrating week trying to make long-range forecasts. Early in the week it looked like by the middle and end of next week the West would go back to a high-level blocking pattern, sending storms farther south again toward the Southwest, but by Wednesday and Thursday that hope had gone by the wayside."

Storm History of the Blizzard of December '09
The memorable Blizzard of December 2009 laid down a swath of snow 1 to 2 feet deep from the southern Appalachians to Long Island and southeastern New England.

Time to do some flips in the snowbanks with Mountain Hardwear's reversible Women's Flip Jacket, updated with a new textured dobby fabric. PrimaLoft® insulation stays warm under damp conditions. Great for layering.

>>Check out Mountain Hardwear's Technical Ski Shells & Advanced Snow Gear.

• Lightweight PrimaLoft® microfiber insulation provides exceptional warmth in damp conditions
• Soft, snug rib knit collar
• Contrasting quilting: abstract quilt pattern reverses to reveal horizontal striations
• Zippered cuffs for easy fit adjustments
• Zip handwarmer pockets

Denali South Face Ski Attempt

By Dougald MacDonald / The Mountain World & Colorado Mountain Journal

Mountain Hardwear Alpinist/Rock Climber, Kevin Mahoney attempts ski descent of Denali's 8000-foot South Face

Climbing News Link: Dan Corn and Kevin Mahoney attempted to ski the 8,000-foot south face of Denali this past spring. "Ultimately, we had our skis on for about 65 miles and 15,000 vertical feet...but we only skied 1,000 feet of the south face," Mahoney wrote at his blog. Although icy conditions prevented them from getting very far on the route, they came back with superb photos and video. You can read more and see photos from the expedition at the Black Diamond Journal.

Kevin Mahoney's Favorite Mountain Hardwear Gear:

Cohesion	Hooded Compressor	Phantom 15°

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Categories

Friends and Family

February 5, 2010

February 3, 2010

February 1, 2010

Episode 001

January 27, 2010

January 26, 2010

The Bachelor Falls in Love with Mountain Hardwear!

January 22, 2010

January 17, 2010

January 15, 2010

January 13, 2010

January 12, 2010

On to the China Expedition

January 8, 2010

January 7, 2010

January 6, 2010

Dawn Glanc will be participating in this year's Ouray Ice Festival!

January 5, 2010

December 30, 2009

December 21, 2009