GORE-TEX Pro Week: Lhotse and Women's Manaslu Jacket's

The Lhotse and Women's Manaslu Jackets represent the pinnacle of waterproof protection for the most serious mountain all-rounders. Combining new generation GORE-TEX® Pro with our STORM Construction techniques, they take Mountain Equipment’s hardshell engineering to the next level. With up to 28% greater breathability and even better durability new GORE-TEX® Pro is built specifically for the most demanding applications. When combined with our 40D face fabric and even tougher 80D fabric reinforcements it becomes an exceptional choice for severe four-season mountain use.



A new and painstakingly engineered Alpine Cut offers exceptional fit and mobility which will be equally appreciated by mountaineers and hill walkers alike. Our renowned Mountain HC Hood swallows a climbing helmet but cinches down to offer equally perfect vision and mobility on remote treks through driving rain. The wired and laminated peak ensures performance in the face of violent gusts where less structured models can leave you unable to operate effectively.

Dave Rudkin - Pyb Instructor, GORE-TEX Pro product test, Chamonix 2013

photo: Lukasz Warzecha/www.lwimages.co.uk  

Consisting of two large chest pockets and a cavernous Napoleon pocket our Stratum Storage System ensures that the essentials remain accessible when wearing a rucksack or climbing harness. A new YKK® Aquaguard® moulded front zip is easy to use in difficult conditions and keeps working smoothly even as your jacket rimes up in inhospitable icy gullies. Laminated and bonded pit zips provide extra ventilation for heavily laden
walk-ins through driving snow and incessant drizzle.



Simple but highly protective shells that do it all, the Lhotse and Manaslu Jackets are equally at home on steep technical ground and in rain lashed valleys. Combining full specification design with features and fabrics guaranteed to perform in the worst weather they are the obvious choice for those who demand performance and simplicity.

For more information head to our website here 

Available exclusively from:

Cotswold Outdoor stores nationwide and online. 

More information at http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/Goretex-pro  

GORE-TEX Pro Week: Tupilak Pant & Women's Valdez Salopette

New: Tupilak Pant:

Based on our proven Changabang pant, these full spec mountaineering pants give total protection and mobility in the worst conditions imaginable. Reinforced in key areas to protect against abrasion in ice choked chimneys and cuts from racked screws.

Nick Bullock, GORE-TEX Pro product test, 

Chamonix 2013 photo: Lukasz Warzecha 

Check out more about the Tupilak Pant at the product page here


New: Women's Valdez Salopette:

When the lines between steep skiing and mountaineering begin to blur. Built without compromise to complement any of our GORE-TEX® Pro range when you’re seeking out remote climbs and the biggest descents.

Friend of the Brand Jess Whiskin, Whitedot Ski test,

Chamonix photo: Mark Perkins   

Check out more about the Women's Valdez Salopette at the product page here

Available now exclusively from:

Cotswold Outdoor stores nationwide and online. 

More information at http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/Goretex-pro  

GORE-TEX Pro Week: New Women's Cloud Peak Jacket

The Cloud Peak is based on our new Women’s Mountain fit and is the ideal choice for remote mountaineering and big ski days alike. Layering perfectly over heavier insulating layers it seals out everything the next big low pressure system can throw at you.




Using NEW generation GORE-TEX® Pro to provide the foundation for a jacket that not only seal out the worst storms but work with you on hard routes anywhere in the world. New GORE-TEX® Pro fabric offers better durability than ever before and up to 28% greater breathability. Combined with a 40D face fabric and ultra-tough yet mobile 80D reinforcements you have the current state-of-the-art in extreme protection.

Features & Benefits:

• 3-layer GORE-TEX® Pro 40D fabric
• 3-layer GORE-TEX® Pro 80D fabric reinforcements
• Mountain HC Hood is fully adjustable
• New Women’s Mountain fit with articulated and pre-shaped sleeves
• Storm Construction techniques used throughout
• Stratum Storage; 4 large pockets with YKK® moulded Aquaguard® zips and inner bonded edge guard
• 2-way YKK® moulded Aquaguard® centre front zip behind storm flap
• 2-way YKK® WR underarm pit zips with laminated and bonded entry
• Zip-out internal snow skirt
• Adjustable laminated cuffs and dual tether hem drawcords

For further information head over to the Cloud Peak product page here 

Available now exclusively from:

Cotswold Outdoor stores nationwide and online. 

More information at http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/Goretex-pro  

GORE-TEX Pro Week: NEW Changabang Jacket

When Pete Boardman and Joe Tasker made their ground breaking ascent of Changabang’s West Face in 1974 they used Mountain Equipment gear, just as Brendan Murphy and Andy Cave did when they set out to climb it’s North Face in 1997. Still regarded as one of the great Himalayan climbs, their route took 18 days and required gear that could cope with Super Alpine style climbing at altitude and often in bad weather. Andy took a prototype of what was to become the Changabang Jacket and his feedback helped to shape what is now a classic high mountain shell.

The latest Changabang retains much of Andy’s original input along with a host of New features that make this a superb all-round shell for the hardest routes and biggest descents year round.

Offering unflinching protection in the face of savage conditions, the Changabang makes full use of our Mountain fit and unrivalled Storm Construction techniques. The hardest climbing and the most serious skiing are all in a day’s work for this, the definitive fully featured hardshell.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS:

• 3-layer GORE-TEX® Pro 40D fabric
• 3-layer GORE-TEX® Pro 80D fabric reinforcements
• Mountain HC Hood is fully adjustable
• Mountain fit with articulated and pre-shaped sleeves
• Storm Construction techniques used throughout
• 2-way YKK® moulded Aquaguard® centre front zip
• Stratum Storage; 4 large pockets with YKK® moulded Aquaguard® zips and inner bonded edge guard
• 2-way YKK® WR underarm pit zips with laminated and bonded entry
• Zip-out internal snow skirtAdjustable laminated cuffs and dual tether hem drawcords

For further information head over to the Changabang product page here 

Available now exclusively from:

Cotswold Outdoor stores nationwide and online. 

More information at http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/Goretex-pro  

GORE-TEX Pro Week: NEW Tupilak Jacket

Completely updated, the Tupilak remains a serious, stripped back shell that shines on the most difficult modern lines. The combination of GORE-TEX® Pro, a new Alpine fit and our proven Super Alpine Hood make this one of the finest climbing jackets available. 

Using NEW generation GORE-TEX® Pro to provide the foundation for a jacket that not only seal out the worst storms but work with you on hard routes anywhere in the world. New GORE-TEX® Pro fabric offers better durability than ever before and up to 28% greater breathability. Combined with a 40D face fabric and ultra-tough yet mobile 80D reinforcements you have the current state-of-the-art in extreme protection.

STORM construction techniques work with these cutting edge fabrics to ensure that you stay dry when confronted by the worst weather imaginable. Trim yet with complete mobility, our completely new Alpine Cut was custom made for climbers and mountaineers who demand a totally unrestrictive shell tailor made for the most difficult modern climbing.

Built with the assumption that you will have to keep climbing through serious conditions the Tupilak thrives on everything from the legendary savagery of Scottish winter test pieces to the intimidation of the last great Himalayan problems.

Our Super Alpine Hood is perhaps the best available today, designed specifically to accommodate modern helmet designs with no loss of vision or protection. Easily adjusted in difficult conditions and with internal silicone grip strips it will move perfectly with your head, with or without a helmet. At last your hood can stay up without impeding even the hardest and most marginal leads in the mountains. Two large Napoleon pockets store the essentials with food and navigation equipment always at hand either on a hanging belay or whilst battling down to the valley through a white out.

For further information head over to the Tupilak product page here

Available now exclusively from:

Cotswold Outdoor stores nationwide and online. 

More information at http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/Goretex-pro  

#Microadventure 2013 Challenge

Join the adventure on Friday June 21st and make a small adventure big!

We've teamed up with Al Humphreys and our friends at Trek, Howies and Osprey for the #Microadventure 2013 Challenge.

Adventure? A spirit of trying something new, pushing your boundaries, going somewhere different, leaving your comfort zone? It could be one of many things, but above all, adventure is about enthusiasm, ambition, open-mindedness and curiosity.

Some may see an adventure as being something big, expensive or time consuming, but it need not be. Adventure isn’t all about rowing oceans, climbing mountains or cycling around the world; by simply entering the 2013 Microadventure Competition you could soon be out there on an adventure of your very own.

So what is a microadventure? Well in simple terms, it’s an adventure on your doorstep. Having a 9 to 5 job need not prevent you from having an adventure, what about your 5pm to 9am? Those 16 hours of freedom are crying out for a #microadventure! Get out there & explore the beauty and wilderness at a minimal cost and close to home. Do it alone, with friends & family or even with your work colleagues, it’s totally up to you. The choice is yours when it comes to a #microadventure!

(heres a video of Al and the team from Trek on their recent Microadventure)

Wherever you might be, however busy you are, sign up to the competition and commit to a #microadventure, you will soon be asleep under the stars, wrapped up in your bivvy enjoying the local surroundings of the great outdoors.

The #Microadventure 2013 Challenge: June 21st

The aim is to get as many people as possible having an overnight summer solstice #microadventure on the evening of June 21st. The summer solstice will be in midsummer, a Friday night, and there will be an almost full moon (which this month also happens to be a "super moon"). After work, instead of going home, head out into the countryside with your chosen #microadventure crew and cycle, run, walk, kayak, scrap the tent if you dare, and spend a night under the stars. It’s a simple idea but full of fun.

Enter the Competition

It’s important to note that anyone can take part in the #microadventure, but to be in with a chance of winning, whilst on your adventure or when you arrive home, you must choose to do one of the following:

• Twitter - Drop a tweet/pic about your expedition and #microadventure

• Facebook – ‘Like’ us on Facebook and post your pic:http://on.fb.me/11RLCJE

• Instagram - Upload your micro adventure snap and #microadventure

• Flickr – Submit an image and tag microadventure.

• Vine Video - Submit your video and #microadventure, check out the example: https://vine.co/v/brJ5BOr10tH

• Vimeo - Add video to group Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/groups/microadventures

By entering the competition you will automatically be entered into a prize draw, and as an added extra, if you make a movie of your adventure and share it, you could be in with a chance of winning big!

There are no set rules because that would be boring; we just offer guidance, asking you to stay safe, have fun and be wild. Oh and don’t forget to submit your media to any of the above – make your adventure seen and be in with a chance of winning.

Explore it, climb it, ride it, experience it… remember, adventure is only a state of mind, go create!

You can check out more Microadventures at - www.alastairhumphreys.com

Photos: Geoff Waugh & Al Humphreys 

Work experience with a difference

Okay so we’ve all done work experience at some point - brewing up, data inputting, filing and photocopying… yawn! Well not for Flo. Last week he paid us a visit to do a weeks work placement – which basically involved none of the above and climbing in Scotland with Dave instead.  

Here’s a few words and photos from Flo's week…  

“Uuuuufffff… One week work experience from school. How about getting some work experience in climbing? But where should I do this? The best would be going climbing with fellow climber Dave MacLeod. So I get on to a plane for Manchester then take a train to Fort William, Scotland.

When I arrived I was met by Dave and before I knew it off we went straight out to do some climbing. The weather had been very cold; so perfect conditions for bouldering hard.

Over 4 days the weather was good, even though we were in Scotland. We went out as often as we could…and I really enjoyed being outside.

I had four amazing days of bouldering with Dave before I headed back to Manchester for 3 days work with the guys at the Mountain Equipment headoffice.”

Flo