GORE TEX Experience Tour: Day 2

Few more pics from the guys in Norway

GORE TEX Experience Tour: Day One

The first report and pictures have come in from ME Pro Dave MacLeod and the team who are currently out in Norway on Dave's GORE TEX Experience Tour. Few photos from which are below

You can read more at Dave's blog here

There are also further photos at the Hot aches Facebook page here  

Nick Bullock: The Frumious Bandersnatch. E7 6c

Head over to Nick's blog here where you can check out his report on the new route "The Frumious Bandersnatch" E7 6c. Fallen Block Zawn, Rhoscolyn.

Nick on The Frumious Bandersnatch E7 6c

Fifty years of Excellence

Well its finally here.... the 50th celebrations are now underway, headover to the website where you'll find our specially commisioned film "50 Years in the Mountains" put together by our friends Brian Hall and Keith Partridge of Venture Films alongside our NEW AW11 range.


Click here to check it out!

Dave MacLeod Interview on 4-seasons TV

I mentioned this interview with ME Pro partner Dave MacLeod a few weeks ago while we were out at OutDoor 2011 well here it is..... 4 Seasons TV

Photography Workshops with Lukasz Warzecha

Friend of the brand and professional photographer Lukasz Warzecha is running a set of photography workshops with special guest subject Dave MacLeod.

Lukasz on the Crux pitch of The Long Hope Route, while shooting ME Pro partners Dave MacLeod & Andy Turner 

Lukasz tells us more: "For me personally, photography has been always about sharing images… but for the first time I get a chance to share with you even more.
Being asked over and over again about my own photography workshops I have decided to finally give you all the best we’ve got here…


A skilful photographer (yours truly, our safety and location guru (Ruth Taylor) and my top assistant (Matt) all yours for the whole weekend! And to make it even better, we have invited for you to photograph (thank you Mountain Equipment) one of the world’s best climber and an all round nice guy – Dave Macleod.


Where? – North Wales (based out of Bryn Engan Farmhouse)
When? – 30th September (Friday) – 2nd of October (Sunday)
Group size is limited to 8 people only.
I’m sure it will be a practical, informative, and inspirational weekend. For all details just click here!


On a side note, just a quick list of other workshops and lectures I’m doing in the near future:


- 12-13th August – Summer Photography School in Poland (in Polish) – I think 4 places left
- 30th Sept. – 2nd October – LWimages AUTUMN PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS – shoot with DAVE    MACLEOD
- 6th October – Thursday Night lecture during the Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival
- 15th October – I’m teaching photography at the Alpkit Bigshakeout weekend!


For more information check out Lukasz's website here 

Future Product on Test in the Lakes

Steve in a new for 2012 Javelin Jacket after a rapid ascent of D Route on Gimmer Crag, Langdale

If you spotted my blog last week you'll know that I spent Wednesday out on the hill with the guys from the Epicentre in Ambleside and ME Pro Partner Nick Bullock. A varied day covering lots of ground provided the perfect opportunity for us to try out some of our current and future lightweight softshells. Days like this are really important as they allow retail staff to use our kit and develop their own opinions on the ME gear that they stock as well as allowing us and our Pro Partners to feed back our own experiences.

Below are the Epicentre's Steve Ashworth's initial impressions on our new Javelin Jacket that will be available from March 2012. Steve is well known in the Lakes as one of the best winter climbers around, an accomplished alpinist and a slightly unhinged fell runner! It's fair to say that he know's a thing or two about technical kit so we're always keen to hear what he has to say:

My first thoughts when getting the new Javelin Jacket out of the packet where that it would make a great jacket for winter fell running. This should come as no surprise as being designed to meet the needs of the light and fast Alpinist it should slot really well into the role of partner for long winter days putting the miles in over the fells. When you are moving the exolite fabric will keep a surprising amount of weather at bay.

I’m always looking for non membraned softshells and it is good to see that in aiming for maximum breathability Mountain Equipment have stuck to their guns and haven’t been tempted to put a membrane in this jacket. Whilst sitting in the Spring/ Summer range for Mountain Equipment and having a winter cousin in the Orbital Jacket, I would choose to wear the Javelin Jacket on “nice” days in Scotland in winter or on a day where I was trying to get a move on. The Javelin Jacket would be great for something like a winter traverse of the Skye Ridge or for a day linking up classics on the Ben. It goes without saying that it would also be top of my list for an Alpine summer trip.

The Javelin showed how versatile it will be in the climber’s wardrobe when we were out last week on a warm sunny day in Langdale, being a perfect barrier against a cool breeze that picked up on the crag and drying quickly after a very sweaty approach. Even in the relatively benign conditions we experienced the large helmet compatible hood was a welcome addition and one that I feel is essential for jackets of this type.

The Javelin is a super versatile jacket equally as at home on the crag down Langdale as it will be soaking up the sun on the Chamonix Aiguilles, it will slot seamlessly into the winter runners wardrobe and looks set to be another Mountain Equipment classic, hopefully my long term test piece will arrive soon!

Stripping off layers during the jog across from Gimmer Crag to Pavey Ark, Langdale

Heres a few more shots/film clips from the day in a slideshow put together by the guys at the Epicentre