Echoes launch night

Nick was on good form at the launch of his book 'Echoes' at the Outside Cafe in Hathersage. 

After negotiating the generous complimentary refreshments the audience steadied themselves for some up-close and personal time with the author. We kicked things off with the Premiere of our film 'Echoes - Outside is Hot and Sticky', introduced by film-maker Lukasz Warzecha. With the appetiser out of the way, Nick somehow managed to hold his tongue for two more minutes while Ed Douglas delivered a razor sharp introduction before unleashing him into the limelight. 

Launching straight into his characteristic energetic style, Nick entertained the full house with exotic tales of mountain adventures punctuated by poignant readings from his book until ultimately, quite frankly, it was time for a beer at the Little John...

We all had a great evening and a big thanks goes out to all the team at Outside Cafe, Vertebrate Publishing and Boreal for putting it all together and of course special thanks to Nick's entourage (The Hippy and Ray Wood) for delivering our protagonist in fine form.   

To buy a copy of Nick's book ‘Echoes’ head-over to the Vertebrate website

Watch 'Echoes - Outside is Hot and Sticky' by Polished Project now at our vimeo channel here  

Welcome to the Team: Tailgate Alaska

Were pleased to annouce our clothing support to the Tailgate Alaska Team. Team Tailgate utilizes a crew built from mountain veterans: The staff of the Alaska Snow Information Center, US Snowboard Team, Alaska Back Country Adventures, Alaska Rendezvous Adventures, US Grand Prix, AMGA Mountain Guides, The Olympics as well as a crew of former professional athletes, Alaska legends and legends in the making.


About Tailgate Alaska World Freeride festival.


Alaska is the pinnacle. Passionate wintersports athletes the world over dream of the same thing – to ride the peaks made famous so many times over in videos, feature films and magazine pages. Tailgate Alaska World Freeride Festival is a celebration of this passion in its ultimate venue — a parking lot. For two weeks in springtime, a humble parking lot is transformed into the epicenter of the snowboarding and skiing universe. Yurts are set up, tents pitched and bbqs and helicopters fired up. Welcome to the final frontier.

With 700 inches of annual snowfall, jagged peaks, stable snowpack and 1,600,000 acres of riding terrain (more than every ski area in North and South America combined), Tailgate Alaska World Freeride Festival offers direct, 360˚ access to unthinkable peaks accessed by helicopter, snowmobile and hiking.

Tailgate Alaska World Freeride Festival brings together professional athletes, media representatives and the everyday rider to live out their dreams in unimaginable terrain and conditions.

Tyler Doit pretty stoked after his run 2012 photo Tailgate Collection

It doesn’t matter if you have competed at the Olympics, traveled the world following snow, or are a jaded industry insider: Tailgate Alaska World Freeride Festival is the single most prolific experience of a skier or riders career. Ask anyone.


For more information about this years festival in progress now head to:
www.tailgatealaska.com 

Return of the Mild

Drizzley, Grey and mild.... it feels nore like September than December here at ME HQ today and with emails coming in from our pro partner team that conditions have dropped off a bit it looks like winter maybe back on hold (for now at least!) 

We did however see some great winter climbing conditions across the UK over the past few days, so what better than to take a look at some images of the team in action to keep the dreams of the white stuff alive for those of you like us sat in the office waiting for the winter break to arrive.

I've also thrown in a bit of comedy courtesy of Ruth and Lukasz - in the form of Andy T doing his best "Anger" during his studio shoot last week.   

For full reports on all the latest action check out our Team Blog opposite -

   2 photos above... Andy on a New routing mission in a Secret North Wales location with fellow team member
Baggy pictured in action below  

Nick on 1st ascent of Ride the Wild Bullhorn on the Ben p: Dougal Tavener

Jens: New Route SW Poincenot

Just had this quick email in from Jens who's currently out in Patagonia, where he and fellow climbers Mike Schaefer and Joel Kauffman have just had an epic 3 days on the South West Face of Poincenot.

Photo: Joel Kauffman collection, check Planet Kauffman in the coming days for more photos and more stories 

Jens...


"Hope life is good in the UK and that you are enjoying the holiday season.


Wanted to give you the most current update from down south...warm temperatures have made our ice objectives on the west side of the Torres suicidal at the moment, so we changed focus and chose a wild first ascent objective on the south face of Poincenot, one of the most beautiful big walls in Patagonia.


Two days ago, Joel Kauffman, Mike Schaefer, and I finished our 900 meter first ascent that proved to be one of the most difficult climbs of our lives. I am so grateful to have lived this experience. 


Our climb took three days and involved several types of climbing including difficult aid climbing on a wild steep big wall. A malfunctioning stove caused severe dehydration and several other crazy events happened as well. We are all safe, but barely functioning at the moment...trying to come back to life here! Once we have recovered a bit I will send some amazing material your way. We shot video and pictures and have a wild, wild story to tell"


We look forward to hearing more in the coming days!!!

Welcome to the team week... Helena Robinson

The final new member we'd like to welcome to our pro partner team is Helena Robinson. 

Helena is one of a rare breed of Guernsey climbers. At the age of 14 she began sea level traversing along the island’s south coast, armed with a book of treasure map style topos called ‘Guernsey Coastal Walks and Scrambles’. Illogically, this led to an interest in winter mountaineering which became her passion when she studied at Edinburgh University, and is still her favourite discipline today.

Helena recently spent a year in Switzerland as a climbing nanny, exploring the mountains around the house by ski and by foot, which led her on to compete in her first ultra trail running race.
Helena is currently based in Llanberis, North Wales having just started a PhD in cancer research at Bangor University.

We first got to know Helena after she won herself a place on the Gore Tex Experience tour trip to Norway with Dave MacLeod back in August and were all pleased to have her onboard, and look forward to seeing what she gets up to over this winter season.

You can keep up to date with what Helena's been up too at her blog here

Welcome to the team week... Mark "Baggy" Richards

Next we'd like to officially welcome Blue Peris centre manager, AMI and MIC instructor and the Perez Hilton of Welsh Winter Conditions blogging, Mark "Baggy" Richards to the team.

Over to Mark

"For me, finding myself in amazing outdoor places, having a great time sharing adventures with others, feeling good after achieving one’s goals and seeing young people achieve more than they ever imagined is what is so good about the outdoors. Over the years, I have become fully absorbed in the outdoor way of life. Partly because of the personal benefits and meeting new people, but also to give back and share my passion by enthusing and teaching others.

My professional experience
My, teaching, instructing and guiding experience spans 26 years. I was introduced to the outdoors through my secondary school by very enthusiastic teachers. It is that opportunity which has allowed me to gain a career in the outdoors. Originally training as a carpenter, then building site foreman, I started university as a mature student undertaking an outdoor education / science degree at I M Marsh. After working and holding positions in a wide variety of LEA outdoor centres, I gained the post of mountaineering/climbing instructor for 5 years at Plas-y-Brenin (the English National Mountain Centre) I have also worked in the capacity of freelance instructor for a vast array of establishments such as Glenmore Lodge (the Scottish National Mountain Centre), Jagged Globe and a wide range of Local Education Authority centres.
Currently, I manage Blue Peris Mountain Centre, alongside guiding and teaching all over the UK. I am a member of the ‘themic.org’ which identifies the highest standard of climbing and mountain skills instruction in the UK alongside being a member of Association of Mountaineering Instructors. (AMI) 

Interests

Well this first has to be Welsh Winter climbing and in particular climbing new and classic routes, being the co-author of the North Wales Winter Climbing. Whilst not winter climbing, then hanging out on sea cliffs,  road biking helps keep me fit and gives another opportunity to see the great outdoors and help burn the calories off, as I just love cakes!
I have two young girls, who like fashion more than the outdoors and a house which I have been refurbishing for far too long. Any regrets, not being part of Team Sky (some say as their bike cleaner!)"

If you don't already then make sure you check out 'Baggys blog' for all the latest North Wales winter action here  

Welcome to the team week: Mary Harlan

Next athlete we'd like to welcome to the team is Mary Harlan

After a career as a professional ballet dancer in New York, St. Louis, and Russia, Mary decided she wanted something different in life. It was then at age 22 she began to pursue a career in mountaineering, rock climbing and ice climbing as a guide. Since then, Mary has climbed and guided in many parts of North America, from Grade V routes on the glaciated peaks of the Pacific Northwest to routes in Red Rocks Conservation Area in Nevada and the high altitude mountains of Alaska.

Mary on a Belly Full of Berries (5.13a)

Mary has a natural gift for offwidth climbing, and in 2008 she was one of the first women to climb the offwidth Belly Full of Bad Berries in Indian Creek, UT (5.13a) and more recently established several new routes across the western United States, including the multi-pitch route Roadhead, Grade IV, 5.10+, in The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Mary has completed the Rock Discipline courses of the AMGA and is currently pursuing IFMGA certification. Last winter she completed her first ski mountaineering race, and plans to compete in several ski mountaineering races this winter, all while raising her 1 year old son, Samuel.

Were all looking forward to working with Mary and excited to see what she'll get up to this winter.

Welcome to the team week...Mike 'Twid' Turner

The next athlete we'd like to officially welcome to the team is Mike 'Twid' Turner. 

Twid has worked as a Mountaineering Instructor MIC since 1990 and as an IFMGA Guide since 1993. Twid started his outdoor career working for small centres, management training centres, Local IFMGA Guides from 16 years of age. Instead of becoming a Civil Engineer, which he studied at UMIST in Manchester, he decided to commit his professional working life to the Outdoors. For  15 years Twid worked as a senior instructor and head of rock climbing at Plas y Brenin, The National Mountain Centre. Now as an Independent Guide Twid offers a wide range of Adventures and Training opportunities and has his own business Guiding around the Alps and Expeditions to remote areas. He is as happy coaching beginners as to instructing and Guiding experienced Clients on more challenging climbs.

Twid's personal style of climbing is to push the boundaries as far as he can. If its not a struggle try harder! Whether its on trad routes in the UK, Sports climbing, Big Walls worldwide, Alpine climbing, Mixed climbing and Ice climbing.  He has climbed at a high standard for over 25 yrs and is still pushing for that next hardest climb. Through his passion and enthusiasm for the sport he hopes to encourage others to enjoy and explore their personal climbing boundaries!

Were super psyched to have Twid officially on board having worked with him on various projects over the past 3 years. You can check out all the latest from Twid and the guiding/courses he runs at his website here http://www.miketwidturner.com/  

Welcome to the team week.... Matt Gerdes

This week were introducing 5 new athletes to our Pro Partner Team. First off we'd like to welcome Matt Gerdes. 

American born, Matt has completed 20 seasons of full time backcountry skiing, with the past 12 of them in the European Alps. He has nabbed first descents and classic lines in the Alps, Caucasus, Baffin Island, and Alaska. Although not highly competitive by nature, Matt claims to be the undisputed world champion of “Having fun in the mountains” since 1980.

Matt on the Aiguilles Rouge, Chamonix Photo Adam Gorrill

In addition to freeride skiing, Matt is an accomplished speed flyer, speed-wing test pilot, and ski-BASE jumper. He is also widely recognized as one of the world’s leading wingsuit BASE jumpers and is the author of The Great Book of BASE. Matt’s life as a freerider has taken him all over the world but he feels most at home in the Alps, where there is an unparalleled amount of easily-accessed high quality big-mountain terrain. He also loves puppies, long walks on the beach, and is a beginning big wall climber.

Heres one of Matt's breath taking videos from a recent BASE trip to China

 

You can check out more about Matt and keep up to date with all his latest exploits at his website here  www.matttg.com

Guerrillas in the Mist - Direct

Head over to ME Pro partner Jens Holsten's blog here to check out his account of "Guerrillas in the Mist - Direct " on Mount Stuart, Cascades. 

Dave MacLeod GORE TEX Experience Tour interview

ME Pro partner Dave MacLeod gives us his thoughts on his GORE TEX Experience tour trip to Norway.



You can check out more information about the trip at the Experience tour facebook page here

Join Stephen Venables in 2013

ME Pro partner Stephen Venables... "2013 will be the 60th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest. It will also be the 25th anniversary of our 1988 Anglo - American - Canadian Kangshung Face expedition, which Reinhold Messner described as ‘probably the most adventurous in Everest history’ (and no we didn’t pay him to say that).

I intend to celebrate our Silver Jubilee in style, starting with a trip to the Antarctic Peninsula. Skip Novak, with whom I have already led two expeditions to South Georgia, has agreed to be co-leader of the Antarctic expedition, and make his 22.5m yacht Pelagic Australis available for a four weeks charter from Ushuaia. 

Yacht-based skiing and climbing is one of life’s great adventures; doing it on the Antarctic Penisula is as good as it gets. With eight berths available on Pelagic Australis, there will be scope for both keen Skier/mountaineers and people who would just like to come for the sailing, scenery and wildlife.

The dates: February 1st to February 28th 2013 plus a couple of days each end travelling to and from Ushuaia. We are still working on the detailed plan and prices, which I will send in my next newsletter. In the meantime, please allow yourself to be tempted by this trip of a lifetime, and tell anyone else who may be interested."

For more information checkout Stephen's website here where you can signup for his newsletter

Images - South Georgia 2008 expedition - Stephen Venables Collection

Nick Bullock: Latest

Want to know what ME Pro partner Nick Bullock has been up to over in North Wales? Then head over to his blog here where you can check out his latest post.

Orange Blossom Special. E1 5b *. 30m.

 The horizontal break above Scintillating Witches on Golden Wall. photo Nick Bullock Collection

Welcome to the team - Jen's Holsten

We are pleased to announce a new addition to our Pro partner team... Jens Holsten.

Jens is a alpinist/rock climber based out of Leavenworth, Washington, USA who is fast establishing himself on the US Climbing scene with both his impressive of tick-list of climbs and writing style. 

Over this past winter Jen's has been busy putting up new routes in Patagonia such as Jardines Japoneses (650m, 5.10 A1 AI4 M5) with Mikey Schafer and Colin Haley (more info here) as well as several new lines in his backyard of the Cascades, he has also just returned from climbing trip to Yosemite.  

Below are a few shots of Jen's putting some of of AW11 Styles to the test out on Mt. Huntington, Alaska back in early June’11.

You can read more about Jen's and his recent exploits over at his blog here 

OutDoor 2011 Pictures

Thought I'd sneak off the ME stand for five minutes and post a few pictures of what been going on for the ME Team at OutDoor.

ME's Thomas Strobl and Richard Talbot (centre) collecting a Gold OI award for the Titan 450/Down Codex

Dave MacLeod Hoy Q and A Session on the ME Stand

Dave with Claude the editor of Vertical Magazine

Girls DAV Expedition team visited the stand to checkout the latest AW11/SS12 Range

 Dave being interviewed for on 4 Season's TV

 ME Pro partners Dave and Sylvain have a catch up

 Dave at the GORE-TEX Experience tour press conference

Dave with his fellow GORE TEX Athlete team members

Long Hope Poster

Coming Soon!!!!

Keep up to date with all the latest at www.hotaches.com 

GORE-TEX Experience Tour Winners Announced

GORE-TEX® Experience Tour announces the two lucky winners who will seek out New Routes in Arctic Norway with Scotland’s leading climber, Dave MacLeod.

The Selection Day for the GORE-TEX® Experience Tour New Routes in the Arctic project took place in Scotland this weekend. Dave MacLeod, Gore athlete, Mountain Equipment Pro Partner and Scotland’s leading climber, was on hand to watch our four finalists as they demonstrated their climbing skills, in a variety of weather conditions, as film maker Paul Diffley captured all of the action. Competition for the two places was very tight as all of the climbers were of a really high standard! But in the end it had to come down to just two people and we are delighted to announce that they are Helena Robinson and Julia Snihur.

As well as demonstrating their climbing skills in Ratho quarry at the Edinburgh International Climbing Centre, the candidates were also asked to explain their motivation for climbing and what personal attributes they have that makes them the best choice for the trip. Dave was keen to make sure that the two winners were people that understand that being a good climber is as much about attitude as it is ability. Helena and Julia displayed the perfect balance.

The candidates were also asked about their goals for the trip. As a student Helena spent a lot of time trad climbing, but having just returned from a year in Switzerland she also loves Alpine and Ice climbing. Julia on the other hand is a sport climber, learning to climb in America before moving to Barcelona. Her trad climbing is also of a really high standard so there will be a lot of scope for the team when they reach Norway. Winners Julia Snihur (left) andHelena Robinson

Helena and Julia will get to try the new GORE-TEX® Active Shell jackets from Mountain Equipment during their trip. The new laminate is perfect for climbing in this environment as it is extremely breathable, lightweight as well as 100% waterproof.

Now the adventure truly begins!

Mucklehouse Wall E5 6a, Orkney - Video

Heres a short 2 minute clip of ME Pro partners Dave MacLeod and Andy Turner on the classic 4 pitch E5 Mucklehouse Wall, Orkney.

You can keep up to date with all the latest of what Dave and Andy have been up to at their blogs here

http://andyturnerclimbing.blogspot.com/
http://www.davemacleod.blogspot.com/

Long Hope Route 1970

I was having a bit of a rummage through the Mountain Equipment archive today and to my surprise came across these photos of Ed Drummond and Oliver Hill on the Long Hope Route back in July 1970, the very route that ME pro partners Dave MacLeod and Andy Turner completed a few weeks back.

 Ed Drummond after the last bivouac on day 9 

Ed Drummond leading on day 5 

Oliver Hill on pitch 16 (The Crux) end of day 8 

Ed Drummond leading pitch 16 (The Crux) day 8

 Ed Drummond on pitch 16 (The Crux) day 8

Lukasz sung by the office on Monday on his way back from Hoy to give us a quick glimpse of some of the amazing shots he took of Dave and Andy on the Long Hope Route (a few of which are below).  There will be articles and more pictures to come in the climbing press shortly and were also super excited about seeing the footage that Diff and the guys at Hotaches got in the bag... keep your eyes peeled for more info soon!

Ed Drummond back at St Johns Head last week   

All photo: Lukasz Warzecha