We've just had this video clip through from a very excited Lukasz Warzecha. Lukasz is currently out in Lofofen shooting Andy Turner, Nick Bullock and Pete Benson while there on a new routing mission.
If you watch closely you be able to see some of our new Winter'11 product being put to the test
You can keep up with all the latest at Lukasz blog here
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
‘Call of the White' - Book Launch
Back at the end of 2009 we supported the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition with clothing and equipment for their expedition training.
The KLCA expedition led by Felicity Aston was a multi-national 8-woman team from Ghana, Jamaica, India, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus and the UK who skied more than 900km from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole. Most of the women were either the first person or the first woman from their country to ski to the South Pole and yet they were not experienced explorers (some had never seen snow before joining the expedition) but ‘ordinary’ women who wanted to inspire others to follow their dreams or make a change for the better in their lives.
Felicity has written a book about her experiences putting together and training the team as well as their remarkable 40-day journey together in Antarctica. ‘Call of the White: Taking the World to the South Pole’ is published by Summersdale and will be available in bookshops (including Waterstone’s and WHSmith) on Monday 7th March but is already available for pre-order online.
To celebrate the release of the book Felicity will be giving a number of talks about the expedition at free events across the country. Dates include:
Tunbridge Wells – 15th March
Bristol – 23rd March
London – 20th April
London – 12th May
Harrogate – 18th May
Manchester – 19th May
Canterbury – 26th May
Full details are available on www.felicityaston.com
The KLCA expedition led by Felicity Aston was a multi-national 8-woman team from Ghana, Jamaica, India, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus and the UK who skied more than 900km from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole. Most of the women were either the first person or the first woman from their country to ski to the South Pole and yet they were not experienced explorers (some had never seen snow before joining the expedition) but ‘ordinary’ women who wanted to inspire others to follow their dreams or make a change for the better in their lives.
Felicity has written a book about her experiences putting together and training the team as well as their remarkable 40-day journey together in Antarctica. ‘Call of the White: Taking the World to the South Pole’ is published by Summersdale and will be available in bookshops (including Waterstone’s and WHSmith) on Monday 7th March but is already available for pre-order online.
To celebrate the release of the book Felicity will be giving a number of talks about the expedition at free events across the country. Dates include:
Tunbridge Wells – 15th March
Bristol – 23rd March
London – 20th April
London – 12th May
Harrogate – 18th May
Manchester – 19th May
Canterbury – 26th May
Full details are available on www.felicityaston.com
Monday, 28 February 2011
Trail Magazine - 'Stuff of Legend'
I've just been out and grabbed the April issue of Trail Magazine which this month includes their annual 'Gear Guide'. In the Guide along side ME product information and past reviews you'll also find a great feature written by acting Editor Simon Ingram about iconic gear that led to a lot of what we use today such as the Whillians Box Tent, Chouinard Zero Ice axe, Javlin fleece and amongst these are two Mountain Equipment classic's
Mountain Equipment Down Suit
Mountain Equipment Down Suit
click to enlarge
First developed by founder of ME Pete Hutchinson and mountaineering legend Don Whillans for the 1970 Annapurna expedition. The Suit pictured above belongs to Doug Scott and he used it many expeditions during the 1970's.
Mountain Equipment Cascade Jacket and Pant
Click to enlarge
First launched back in 1977 this was our first ever Gore-Tex product and lead on to many of the award winning classics of today such as the Kongur. This set was still being used by friend of the brand Brian Davison up to last summer.
Make sure you go and grab a copy of Trail now.
This winter also sees us celebrate our 50th year as a brand and we have a host of exciting projects coming up over the next few months.... so watch this space!
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
DAV Expedition Team 2012 - Training Update
The Guys from at the DAV Expedition team have just dropped us an update on what they have been up to over the past 3 months.....
Team member Sebi out in Chamonix Fitness-Test and Training - 08/12/10"On 08.12.10 me and the rest of the DAV Expedition Team headed to Bamberg, Bavaria with our team coach David Goettler and writer Alexandra Albert (Alexandra will publish a book about the team after our last big expedition in 2012). A fitness test had been arranged for us at the university's hospital. The doctors wanted to check our general fitness and health to ensure that we were all strong and fit enough to cope with expedition goals we have been set over the next two years.
Lab tests at Bamberg University Hospital
Master class with Guido Koestermeyer The next day, we met a famous climbing coach in the gym of Forchheim: Guido Koestermeyer. He talked about training plans for professional sports climbing."
Argentière - 03 – 12/01/11
"With the expectation to do some fine ice routes, we started on 3rd January and header to the Dauphiné and set up our basecamp in Argentière-la-Bessé. We had the chance to do some fine routes like - Gramusat directe (WI6, 320m) Geronimo (WI5+, 550m), and Finesse et delicatesse (WI5+, 220m). Because of the warm climate we had to move on to Cervière and Les Orres. The difficulty of these routes wasn't that high, so we could practice our speed skills and getting in to a routine as a team.
We also climbed a difficult mixed route on Grottes des Hirondelles called Promoccion sociale (M10).
The Exped Team would like to thank Francois Lombard for the support on this trip."
Chamonix - 11/02/11
"After a night of acclimation in the mountain station, we started to climb a route on the Grand Rocheuse (4102m) called - Too late to say I`m sorry (1000m; ED+; Ice: 70-90°; Rock: V, A2).
Mirko on - Too Late to say I'm sorry
The conditions were pretty good, so that we had no problems climbing the route. After a bivouac on the Midi Plan, we traversed the Col des Pelerins. This mixed route - Rebuffat-Terray (550m; Rock V; Ice: 85°; Mixed: 5) on the North face of Aiguille des Pelerins was also good to climb we then descended back to Chamonix later that day.
Max enjoying his birthday out in ChamonixThis route was a big birthday present to team member Max.
Max on Männer ohne Nerven
Two days later team member Max and David Göttler (trainer) went to the Pinistal where they climbed Männer ohne Nerven (150m, WI 6-) and Kerze (60m, WI 6)."
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
LLAMFF 2011 - 4 weeks to go!!!
Ray Wood at LLAMFF has just dropped us a email with further information for this years festival which gets underway in just under 4 weeks time!
LLAMFF 2010The Llanberis Mountain Film Festival, aka LLAMFF, is a celebration of the 'mountain experience' taking place over the weekend of March 18th - 20th in North Wales. Expect to see the finest films on exploration and adventure, culture and environment, and mountain sports from around the world. A stunning line up of speakers will also give you the chance to hear first-hand the stories that make the headlines including some from the perspective of behind the lens.
Based at the foot of the iconic Llanberis Pass and Snowdon, the magnificent backdrop couldn't be more appropriate, attracting as it does walkers and climbers all year round seeking their own adventure. LLAMFF promises to be an inspirational festival in an inspirational setting.
The backbone of the festival is the international film competition together with the best films from the Banff Mountain Festival, but with so many speakers and other events in the programme you'll always find the eclectic and unexpected at LLAMFF.
If you've ever wondered what it takes to be an adventure cameraman at the top of your game then don't miss Keith Partridge on the Saturday evening. Keith was one of the camera crew behind the spectacular and current BBC series, The Human Planet. Keith's behind the scenes stories and footage of 'close calls' will leave you in no doubt as to how far you sometimes have to push it to get that shot.
Mountaineer, Al Hinkes, the only Brit and one of only twelve people alive who have summited all the World's fourteen 8000 metre peaks - the same number of people that have stood on the moon - is another adventurer speaking at LLAMFF who knows all about the drive and determination required to succeed at the highest level.
ME Pro partner Brian Hall gets things underway at last years festivalSince the first LLAMFF in 2002 it has become an annual festival and the main supporting sponsor once again is outdoor clothing manufacturer Mountain Equipment. Vote for the best film and presentation and if you get it right then you could win a £300 Mountain Equipment voucher.
Festival highlights also include:
• Big screen HD (High Definition) experience.
• Andy Turner – With the second ascent of The Hurting (XI 11) under his belt this winter he knows what Pushing the Limits of Winter Climbing is all about.
• Paul Diffley - Climbers I've Shot and some Climbers I'd like to Shoot - Award winning cameraman behind Hot Aches Productions.
• Ian Parnell - British Style - A rollercoaster ride through the mountain life.
• Snowdonia 2050 – Think Question Time discussing the ecology of Snowdonia in 2050 and balancing the needs of recreation and conservation.
• Steve McClure and Lucy Creamer - The Slackers Guide Reloaded - What drives their ambition to climb at the highest level?
• Family Fun - orienteering by Sprayway. Free kayaking,canoeing and climbing sessions (min. age 8 yrs) on the Saturday organised by the Outdoor Partnership. Photographic treasure hunt and competition for the youngsters.
• George Smith and Noel Craine's Famous (Almost) Climbing Quiz on the Friday night.
• Mountain artists Andy Parkin and Rowan Huntley.
• 'Hands on' adventure sports injury workshops from Snowdonia Sports Medicine (Zac Larraman). Learn about Muscle Energy Technique with plenty of opportunity to quiz Zac about injury prevention and rehabilitation.
• Beacon Climbing master class and bouldering competition.
Weekend and session tickets are available now at
Joe Brown (tel: 01286 870327)
V12 Outdoor (tel: 01286 871534) or online at their websites.
More info at http://www.llamff.co.uk/ and you can also follow the latest LLAMFF news on Facebook.
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Andy and Lukasz - Update
Professional photographer and friend of the brand Lukasz Warzecha has just dropped us a quick email to let us know what he and ME pro partner Andy Turner have been up to over the past week....
Last weekend Andy donned the lycra and headed out to the Peak District with Lukasz to bag a few photos for a possible writing project Andy's working on about how he went from Pro cyclist to Mountaineer - a few photos of which you can see below
Then on Monday the guys hooked up with fellow climber/mountaineer Nick Bullock and headed for Scotland to hopefully get some routes done before they all head for Norway in the next 2 weeks time.
Last weekend Andy donned the lycra and headed out to the Peak District with Lukasz to bag a few photos for a possible writing project Andy's working on about how he went from Pro cyclist to Mountaineer - a few photos of which you can see below
Then on Monday the guys hooked up with fellow climber/mountaineer Nick Bullock and headed for Scotland to hopefully get some routes done before they all head for Norway in the next 2 weeks time.
You can see all the latest photos and keep up to date over at Lukasz blog here and Andys blog here
Thursday, 10 February 2011
BBC Human Planet - Mountains
If you haven't already been watching then make sure you tune in to BBC 1 tonight at 8pm and check out the latest instalment of the "Human Planet" series.
Tonights episode - 'Mountains - Life in Thin Air' features cameraman extraordinaire and friend of the brand Keith Partridge filming the Kazakhs of the Altai Mountains, Mongolia fox hunting with Golden Eagles - an amazing 3 minute clip of which you can see below
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