Hardwear Sessions

Mountain Hardwear Employee, Sean McDevitt in his Habitat 5.

24 Hours in the Old Pueblo from Vladimir Chaloupka on Vimeo.

24 Hours in the Old Pueblo
16 laps in 23 hours 38 minutes, 265 miles in the beautiful Sonoran Desert of Tucson, AZ

By Sean McDevitt, Mountain Hardwear Tent Designer

For the 5th year in a row, I found myself making an annual pilgrimage to the high desert of Tucson Arizona. The memory of ripping flowing single track and the drive to do better leads me back every year. This year I am fortunate to share a pit with fellow Northern California Racer Sean Allan. Our Pit is run by Global Biorhythm's race promoter Jim Northey and Sean's Wife Mary.

Having recently taken up the additional habit of running ultra marathons, I found myself looking forward to the lemans style running start. The first lap at Old Pueblo, and most 24 hours races, is a bit nervous and fast as racers pass each other back and forth, sorting out the skill and fitness level. I finished my first lap in 1.12.18 , my fastest lap to date. I didn't think I was hammering, just trying to make my way through the overly optimistic. I soon took it down a notch as per my pitt's suggestion and settled into a rhythm and banged out a few laps. It was at this point I knew this was going to hurt, my cardio was great but my running habit wasn't going to help me on this course. Some 24 solo races just seem like such a struggle, this was one.

Mountain Hardwear Designer,Sean McDevitt

I was eating a Clif coated Mojo bar every lap; much unlike my pit mate Sean Alan, who was on a nearly liquid only diet. Sean is a beast of a racer, who on his best days, beats living legends like Tinker Juarez, on his worst days DNFs because of blood sugar issues. I heard he spent all winter doing 10 hour rides, trying to beat the diabetes out of himself.

About 5.30 pm, lights were put on and racers braced for a long night of soul searching. Around 6pm my front tire washed on a high speed entry to a right hander into single track. Bloodied, I rode within myself until about 2.30 am when something apparently snapped in me and I decided to ante-up. I don't remember having a plan, but I hammered out my 2 fastest night laps ever at OP, back to back, 1:34 and 1:35 plus about 10 minutes for pits. Having eaten an entire box of fig Newman's, might have something to do with it.

As dawn came around, I expected to feel better, but instead I felt horrible. I struggled my way through, trying to figure out what hurt more, my ass, or my bicep tendonitis/wrists from standing up. I am seasoned pro racer, with nine 24 solos under my belt, but this was excruciating. Maybe it was the faster pace, the shorter pits or the running, but this really hurt. I dug deeper and found a way to make it through.

I remember thinking I wasn't climbing as well as usual and compensating by railing the descents. I remember hitting things so hard descending; it changed songs on my iPod shuffle. I felt like I was flying; I might have just been high on endorphins...

So my Pit-mate Sean Allan, had willed himself through blood sugar issues into a solid second place while only being able to see out one eye by the closing laps. Through my mid-night mania, I had moved up into 5th place; my first podium in the open/pro category in a 24 solo. I was surprised, happily for both Sean Allan and myself. I think we did Nor Cal proud on Valentine's Day 2010.

Skip, Sean McDevitt, Sean Allan, Mary Allan

Sean McDevitt
Designer
Bike Racer

20-year Outdoor Industry Veteran Brings Rich Global Brand-Building and Operational Experience

Mountain Hardwear is excited to welcome Topher Gaylord. Gaylord, 40, brings 20 years of executive experience and personal passion in the outdoor industry. View his work experience here.

Instead of diving into Topher's impressive resume, Mountain Hardwear would like to call out his passion for the outdoors. When Topher Gaylord was announced as President in a Mountain Hardwear company meeting, the employees were not only excited to hear a familiar name but also to welcome someone who can understand our goal to please the outdoor athlete in all of us. During the meeting employees spoke about meeting Topher at Montrail ultra races while Kirk Richardson, the interim president informed us that not only is he an endurance runner but he is an amazing kite surfer and skier. View Topher's Blog to read more about his outdoor adventures.

Topher & Kim Gaylord in the The Tour du Mont Blanc | Photo by Patitucciphoto

Mountain Hardwear is excited to have an athlete lead us towards products that will meet our demands and yours! "I am energized by the opportunity to lead Mountain Hardwear," said Gaylord. "As a dedicated ultra runner and outdoor athlete, I have always admired Mountain Hardwear and Montrail products and appreciate the authenticity and integrity with which each brand has pursued its passion to serve the high-performance needs of outdoor athletes and consumers. I believe both brands offer rich possibilities for growth as we capitalize on their global potential."

*Big thanks to Kirk Richardson for stepping in, who has served as interim president at MHW since November.

Mountain Hardwear Athletes, Freddie Wilkinson & Kevin Mahoney Win 2010 Lyman Spitzer Award!

The AAC has selected five expeditions to receive its 2010 Lyman Spitzer Cutting Edge Awards. A total of $12,000 will be divided among the five small American teams, which will attempt lightweight, state-of-the-art climbs from Alaska to China.

This fall, Freddie Wilkinson of Madison, NH, will attempt an alpine-style ascent of the south face of Nuptse (7,800m) with his longtime climbing partners Ben Gilmore from Jackson, WY, and Kevin Mahoney from Madison, NH. The team will attempt either a new route on the left side of Nuptse's enormous south wall or an alpine-style second ascent of the route Moonlight Sonata on the southeast spur.

Ben Clark's Ski The Himalayas podcast series hits #1 on the iTunes New and Noteworthy homepage. "The series was released three days ago and to have this overwhelming response, to be the most downloaded new show in the outdoor category on iTunes blows my mind," said Clark. "It is a true joy living this life and being able to share the adventure through video."

Ski The Himalayas, a video series produced by Mountain Hardwear athlete Ben Clark, chronicles an attempted 2009 ascent of the Baruntse (23,390 ft.) by a new route in search of skiing. The series utilizes raw footage from the 2009 expedition with a casual voiceover narrated from the participants as they reflect upon their Nepali adventures. Follow their candid review of the 2009 expedition footage and their May 2010 return to ski the Baruntse from the summit.

Ben Clark locks down his heel at basecamp.

*Clark's other successful podcast series include The Rest of Everest, winner of Best of iTunes award and nominee for an iTunes People's Choice award.

What music did you listen to on your ride to work today and what will you be listening to on your escape to the outdoors this weekend? Mountain Hardwear Web Coordinator, Amelia McAndrew is a featured Swifter on Swift.fm. Listen to her profile, http://swift.fm/ameliamcandrew

* Add some of your favorite tunes to Swift.fm and Mountain Hardwear will create a page with links to the the fans profile playlists.

Lou Dawson writes the heavily followed Back Country skiing blog wildsnow.com. He recently reviewed the Mountain Hardwear Medusa Gloves and wrote "The Medussa passed, and get an A+ because the latest nifty ever-so-cool "Outdry" waterproof/breathable (WB) technology works."

"The glove torture test is this: First, use for hours of snow shoveling and "work" such as loading/unloading snowmobile. If they pass that, get them out for at least ten days of backcountry skiing. Lastly, stick them under the faucet for a while and see how dry they stay."
Read the article here wildsnow.com

Your faithful blogster testing MH Medusa Gloves, somewhere in Colorado, about 15° Fahrenheit.

Alpine Climbing Glove - Medusa Glove

By Mark Dyer, Shelterboxusa.org

Photos of the tents were donated by Mountain Hardwear to the relief efforts in Haiti. ShelterBox agreed to ship them into the country and distribute them along with our normal ten person relief tents. They were picked up in California and Kentucky, and flown into Santa Domingo where they traveled overland to Haiti. As you can see, they are very much appreciated by the recipients, especially with the impending rains coming.

SRT Chris Donald talking to a recipeint of a tent

Josue Moneus who, along with his wife Mary and their four children live in this Mountain Hardwear tent in Camp Jericho on the outskirts of Carrefour. Josue told us how "during the rain it was the only shelter his family had access too."

A small girl and her sister in Jericho.

Another tent in Camp Jerusalem

Our team on the ground wanted me to relay the gratitude expressed by the families who were living in these tents. Your willingness to donate these tents has definately made a difference and improved the lives of these families.

Thank you for everything,
Mark Dyer, Shelterboxusa.org

First off, congratulations are in order for Brian Baker (Powboy) - winner of our February Video Contest! Brian claimed first prize with another gem from his PowWowCreations lab... Powda Face... complete with his own cheesy but hilarious powder themed music mixes. He took this one to a whole new level.

February Video Contest Winner, Brian Baker, Powda Face

March Doglotion Facebook Contest
This month's Doglotion contest is the easiest of them all! Become a Fan of Doglotion.com on Facebook if you're not already, and then you're in the running.

How to Enter
Six times this month we're going to randomly ask freeskiing trivia on Doglotion.com's Facebook Page. If you're the first person to answer it correctly, you go into the draw for this month's prize. So ya, you do the math, one in six chance of winning the bounty. Contest starts... now!

Prize
This month's swag from our contest sponsors includes:
Mountain Hardwear Alpine Sport Pack, Ropeline pack to carry all this booty, and your ski gear!

By Patricia Deavoll, Expedition Sponsorship Recipient

It's a typical late summer's afternoon in the hills above Christchurch ( that's the South Island of New Zealand) - the sky is blue, a brisk nor' easterly whisks in off the sea, the waves and distant mountains sparkle. I'm doing my typical later summer afternoon thing- cragging with friends at one of the dozens of sport climbing locations above the city.

I've just led the warm up climb (a short overhanging test-piece with good holds). I'm chatting with my belayer Nick as I thread the ring anchor for a lower-off. Eric is a few meters away on another climb belayed by Tony. Dave is somewhere round the bottom and there are other climbing pairs dotted up and down the crag. Someone is drinking from a thermos of coffee- I can smell it. People in white are playing cricket on the playing field below- their calls carry on the wind. This is groundhog afternoon- we've all been here before hundreds and hundreds of times.

"OK take me!" I call to Nick and lean back for the rope to take my weight. I hold it at my waist. It runs quickly- too quickly- through my hands! I'm falling and I hit the ground with a ker-thump! And lie there stunned... Then I realise "God! Ow! My back hurts."

Somewhere above me I hear voices saying "F*k! Oh f*k!" Then Eric says stay still, don't move. I open my eyes and see my left hand lying six inches away, the skin on the inside of the fingers completely rope-shredded. Eric asks me to move my hands and feet and head and I find I can. I think desperately "Please don't get a helicopter," and ask Eric to wrap something round my hand (it's Tony's tee-shirt) so I don't have to look at it. I stand up slowly. My back is excruciating but I grit it out because I really REALLY don't want that helicopter. I can see the others rolling their eyes at each other and breathing sighs of relief as I maintain the vertical and start to totter towards the road...

Mountain Hardwear Athlete, Ben Clark's most recent Ski the Himalayas Podcast, Episode 005. View previous podcasts here.

"We are right in the Thick of it Finally" is the insiders look at the fifth of 14 episodes of raw footage used in the upcoming Ski The Himalayas film. Ben Clark, Josh Butson and Jon Miller are continuing the approach to 23,390′ Baruntse,above treeline the team encounters classic views of the high Himalayas. Emotions and excitement run high for the first of over 30 days of high altitude alpine exploration.

Ski The Himalayas Episode 005 from Ben Clark on Vimeo.

• Ski The Himalayas Video Podcast Episode 001
• Ski The Himalayas Episode 002
• Ski The Himalayas Episode 003
• Ski The Himalayas Episode 004

Mountain Hardwear Climbers Tim Emmet, Ethan Pringle, Julia Niles and Mike Libecki all claim the Nitrous Jacket as one of their current favorites.

Nitrous Jacket & Women's Nitrous Jacket | Photo by John Dickey

Superlight, 800-fill down beats the chill in this mid-weight down jacket. Recycled polyester blend is good for the planet. Designed for mountaineering and alpine climbing.

• Two front handwarmer pockets
• Zip chest pocket for storage
• One handed hem drawcord for quick fit adjustments
• Full elastic cuffs seal in warmth
• Lightweight and warm
• Micro-chamois lined collar prevents zipper chafe
• Stuff sack included

"Straight up: Light, warm, packs to the size of an apple. An absolute must for ANY trip that demands cutting the weight and being serious about doing so."
- Mike Libecki, Big Wall Climber/Soloist

Matt Wilder is 1 of 6 new athletes to join the MH Athlete Team. We are proud to support him on his endeavors. The following is a Q & A about what motivates him. Here is what he has to say:

Mountain Hardwear Climber, Matt Wilder

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Let's see, I'm 30 years old --- which means that I've been climbing now for more than half my life. I live in Boulder, Colorado and am working towards a PhD in Computer Science. I grew up on the east coast and migrated west after college. I'm an Aries and my favorite color is red. So, that about sums up the details.

As for climbing, I like all disciplines in the sport, though recently, I've been focusing the most on bouldering and trad climbing. I've always been drawn to the challenge of pushing my body to the limit and bouldering is obviously a good environment for this. I've also found lots of satisfaction from the mental aspect of the sport and enjoy the clarity, confidence and commitment required for a dangerous highball boulder problem. I'm not sure if my interest in this aspect originated through bouldering or my early trad experiences, but I definitely first cultivated it in the realm of bouldering. Over the past few years, I've been getting the same sort of experience climbing hard trad climbs where I need to be on the top of my game physically and also master the mental situation.

I'm also drawn to big walls and am motivated for long free routes. A while back I was living part time in Yosemite and so I had great access to huge walls. During that time I worked some of the free climbs on El Cap. I also did the FFA of the South Face of Washington Column and a new free variation on the Half Dome. I still have many El Cap dreams, but they are harder to realize from Colorado. I was out there last Fall and got some great climbing in but didn't quite accomplish my main objective. There's definitely more big wall free climbing in my future when the time is right. Perhaps I'll move back in that direction this summer if it's a good season on the Diamond in Rocky Mountain National Park... a little closer to home than Yosemite.

What motivates your climbing?
I love climbing because it brings me tons of enjoyment for many reasons more than I can list off. It's easy to be motivated about something you really enjoy. I'm probably most driven by the challenges climbing presents and the steps I have to go through to overcome them. Every obstacle can be viewed as a problem waiting to be solved... and I've always loved problem solving. I also really enjoy getting outside and using climbing as an excuse to travel to cool new locations.

What motivates your academic pursuits?
My academics are actually driven by similar motives. Unfortunately I can't say it brings me quite as much enjoyment as climbing, but there's definitely no paucity of hard problems to solve... or spend lots of time thinking about and working towards a solution.

Visit Matt's Blog, to see what problems he will solve next.
View more of Matt's footage here: http://www.vimeo.com/user1475650/videos

The Path from Matt Wilder on Vimeo.

Ollie & Nate following Mtn Goat tracks out to their favorite zones in the Elks. | Photo Adam Dennis

Nathan Rowland is a grant recipient of the Mountain Hardwear Expedition Sponsorship Program and will be traveling to Kyrgyzstan in May to climb and ski and knock off some first descents. Here he reports on how the winter is going in Aspen, Colorado:

As we enter the final stages of planning for our expedition to Kyrgyzstan, Ollie, and I have been busy skiing the backcountry in the Elk Mountains around Aspen. This winter has not been as prolific in snowfall as the last couple, but we have had no problem finding plenty to keep us busy. We have had a chance to put most of our new gear through its paces, but have yet to test drive our new Mountain Hardware EV 3 tent. We hope to change that this week.

Skiing in the Elks | Photo Adam Dennis

Pending marginally reasonable weather (it is not looking promising at the moment), Ollie, our friend Al, and I are headed over to the Sawatch for a fast and light two day traverse this Friday. We will be tagging the summits of five of the Collegiate Fourteeners (Yale, Columbia, Harvard, Belford, and Oxford). Mt. Yale, our first summit of the traverse, is especially apropos as Ollie was just accepted to Yale's Graduate School of Architecture last week. Congratulations Ollie, some special celebration at the summit may be in order.

As we are traversing from south to north, we anticipate fast climbing on refrozen south facing aspects and decent skiing on north aspects. An added bonus is that the north faces of the Southern Collegiates have some fantastic basins that don't get much skiing as they take you away from their respective trail heads. Lumping them all in to one traverse gives us some fun less traveled descents. As this winter has been typified by marginal snow stability, most of our focus will be on safe route finding as to minimize avalanche hazard.

Skiing in the Elks | Photo Adam Dennis

The last time I looked, one of the larger storms of the year is forecasted to hit the Sawatch right around Friday. However, weather forecasting is an inexact science in the Continental Rockies so we are going to just put ourselves in a position to do the traverse and wait and see. I will be back soon to let you know how it went!

By Patricia Bamert, Office of Ueli Steck
Burgdorf, March 15, 2010

In cooperation with the company Docmine a film will be produced, Speedtrilogy: Through the three big Northfaces in the Alps. Jacqueline Schwerzmann is stage-director while Robert Bösch will be the director of photography on the mountain. Great images with the cineflex camera directly from the helicopter will guarantee for breathtaking images.

"Ueli Steck moved the limits in climbing. Hardly an alpinist is en route so dynamically and willing to take risks on the big ice and rock faces of the world such as the friendly, young exceptional mountaineer from the Swiss Emmental. His spectacular performances so far: the ascent of the three big northfaces in the Alps in record time. In just under two hours he climbed the Matterhorn Northface. On the Grandes Jorasses he reached the summit after only two hours and 21 minutes and for the Eiger Northface he needed less than three hours. For the first time he allows the public to participate on his breathtaking summit sprints. He describes enthrallingly the challenges which are need to accomplish these faces. What pushes an individual person to do these things? Why is the style so important for him? Ueli has freed the Eiger Northface, what probably nobody has done before him, in winter time and solo. The record time nearly becomes secondary. In the "Hinterstoisser Quergang" he simply ignored the rope, not even to belay himself. Small details which can have big consequences. But exactly these details are so important to get in the end the perfect and intense experience of total control."

*You will find more pictures about the shooting on my homepage www.uelisteck.ch

Click here to see what is keeping Ueli Steck warm on his adventures.

Fall 2009 Mountain Hardwear Athlete, Pat Goodman and David Sharratt visited the Shuangqiao Valley in China to climb alpine big walls. Here is a glimpse of the plush camping scene situated in the lush valley, MHW Cribzz style.

MHW Cribzz, China 2009 from Pat Goodman on Vimeo.

Pat grew up in Northern New Mexico and became extremely enthusiastic about climbing and outdoor adventure at the age of twelve. Twenty years later his passion has not become substandard! With an overwhelming dedication to exploring the unknown, Pat has naturally focused his climbing obsession on first ascents. Over the years, this devotion has resulted in the establishment of cutting-edge routes throughout North America, the Indian Himalaya and China. Check out Pat's favorite MH Gear on his Athlete profile page.

Fabric is amazing! Goretex ProShell is amazinlgy light, very waterproof and wicks like crazy! I've done a lot of boot packing and skinning in this jacket that would've had me sweating like crazy in other Goretex shells I've used. The wrist opening are big enough to get over almost any glove which is great, however the velcro closures seem a bit small so staying done up in snowy or wet and cold conditions is definitely an issue.

The pit zips are huge and easy to open and close which is great for coastal conditions and the long runs you find in the alps where the temperatures change a lot from top to bottom.

Built for the rigors of ice and alpine climbing, Beryllium Jacket

One of my favorite features of the jacket by far is the huge hood which easily fits over my helmet while the front zipper is done up to the neck. The jacket has lots of pockets: 2 chest pockets on each side as well as two huge hand warmers well positioned to not interfere with your pack straps. There are also 2 inner pockets one zippered and one bigger one with an elastic that's perfect for storing your your googles to defog or your sunglasses.

One feature I really wish the jacket had was a waterproof zipper on the front instead of a standard zipper with a flap to keep rain and wind out. Overall a great shell!

Read the full review on doglotion.com.

In video or on the blog, the expedition experience of exploring at high altitude is available for all. Visit Ski the Himalayas for more footage.

Ski The Himalayas Episode 6

Ski The Himalayas Episode 006 from Ben Clark on Vimeo.

"Livin' The Dream" is the insiders look at the sixth of 14 episodes of raw footage used in the upcoming Ski The Himalayas film. Ben Clark, Josh Butson and Jon Miller continue the 17 day approach to 23,390′ Baruntse. On day 14, the team settles into basecamp at 17,000′ at the foot of 27,760′ Makalu and begins the search for the route to the top of Baruntse.
Click here to view the adventure.

Ski The Himalayas Episode 7

Ski The Himalayas Episode 007 from Ben Clark on Vimeo.

"Just Show Up and Go" is the insiders look at the seventh of 14 episodes of raw footage used in the upcoming Ski The Himalayas film. Ben Clark, Josh Butson and Jon Miller have completed a 15 day approach and are gazing at the flanks of 23,390′ Baruntse in the Nepali Himalaya. As they explore the rocky terrain that surrounds the mountain, the team sees the ski descent for the first time and plots a course to basecamp.
Click here to view the adventure.

Mountain Hardwear Athlete Noah Howell | Photo Jay Beyer

Who is Noah Howell? Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born and bred a Mormon in SLC, UT. Childhood fantasy was to be an army guy when I grew up. Found myself short fat and akward in Jr. High. Lettered in Drama in High School. Found skiing just out of High School and quickly fell in love with powder. Worked at Deer Valley Ski Area as a lift operator to feed the habit. Lived out of a 1978 Toyota Dolphin Camper. Discovered the backcountry on tele gear and now spend 100+ days a year exploring beyond the boundaries. Adulthood fantasy is to ski until I grow up. Too much information? You asked for it.

What's a Powderwhore?
It doesn't seem to need explanation among most skiers. It's a name a bunch of friends came up with while skiing powder on a really deep day 15 years ago. I guess it's one obsessed with skiing powder and isn't afraid to sacrifice We thought it was funny then, and it stuck. It seemed like the perfect name when my brother and I created a video production company attempting to capture that white fluffy experience. (Powderwhore.com)

Noah Howell Butler Fork, Big Cottonwood Canyon Wasatch Backcountry | Photo Jay Beyer

Why telemark skiing vs. alpine skiing?
Pick the right tool for the right job. I telemark in the powder and AT in the steeps.

What motivates you to hike longer and higher, and charge harder?
I'm not sure I have an answer for that and maybe that's part of my motivation. The question of "what if" is a constant driving force in my mind. What if those peaks could be connected in a day? What if I trained harder? What if that line over there fills in, could it be skied? I guess chasing the unknown is a big part of this.

Where do you find your inspiration when in the mountains?
I think you answered the question with the question, my inspiration is found in the mountains and all the possibilities it holds. It's hard not to be inspired when you get out into the wild unknown. Fortunately I'm able to get out frequently and refresh the body and mind in these places, and that in turn propels me into the next adventure.

Noah Howell Takshanuk Mountains Haines | Photo Jay Beyer

Favorite Mountain Hardwear ski apparel?
Favorite Jacket is the Dragon because it's a great protective outer layer that actually does breath well enough that you don't have waste time changing layers all day.
The Hooded Compressor is the way to go for light weight insulation to stash in the pack.

Beer, wine or whiskey? Yes please!

Would you ever date a snowboarder? I'll try anything once, or twice.

Check out photo's from the past two seasons here:
Winter 2009 By JayBeyer
Powderwhores 2008 Slideshow

For more trip reports and pics visit:
www.noahhowell.com

Noah Howell Takshanuk Mountains Haines | Photo Jay Beyer

Haines was a filming assignment for me more than a skiing adventure. I love being able to be in the mountains behind or in front of the camera, they both have their challenges.

New Pinole 20° Sleeping Bag

Camping Life Editor's Choice award for our Pinole 20° sleeping bag!
"A Mountain Hardwear 20 degree bag for $80-$90? It's insulated with lightweight Thermic MX synthetic in an offset quilt construction to keep loft up for no cold spots. The outer shell is a rugged nylon taffeta, the liner's polyester taffeta has a nice hand, and overall, this mummy is designed for comfort with a cut that's generous, but not wasteful. It's sort of hard to beat that. We love it, and know our readers will to, so we gave it a 2010 Camping Life Editors' Choice Award."
- Camping Life Magazine

Microfleece lined stuff sack (included) doubles as a pillow.

The Pinole offers Mountain Hardwear performance technology and construction at an affordable price point. A camping bag for the every day camper.

*May 2010 issue on newsstands 5/4/2010

Global Adventurers Simon and Lisa Thomas

Sep16, 2009 Altai Mountains to Ogiy

Field testing is a critical element of our design and development process. Last year we met Simon and Lisa Thomas, a couple who have been riding their motorcycles continuously for the past 7 years. and seized the opportunity to put some of our gear through its paces with them. Here's what they had to say about a few of their favorite pieces:

After 7-years of ride-eat-sleep-repeat, 68 countries explored and 170,000 miles ridden, we can say hands down the Phantom 15 is the best bag either of have ever used. OK, sure we all choose bags based on their real world application and function and the Phantom really performs, but it feels great after a grueling day to climb into a bag that feels so luxurious. I know that sounds a bit soft but for us our gear defines our quality of life, we're not in this for week but rather years. In Tajikistan's Pamir Mountain range, we'd climb into the bags wearing our thermals and they kept us warm when the temps dropped below -20. We didn't expect that. The cut of the bags is perfect and at 6ft 4", I've still got room to move and be comfortable.

Sep 7, 2009 DZ to Dunes

With so little pack space, we've got room for just a few cloth items, when we're not in our riding kit, the Windstopper Tech Jacket takes care of me and I've literally lived in my Mesa Convertible pants for the last year. Don't worry they do get washed now and again. They've taken so much abuse but keep going strong.

Lisa writes: The adventure motorbike scene is still very much male orientated and I spend my days in a unisex rally suit, so it's great to wear out-door apparel that's cut to fit women. My Callisto Jacket is great for layering or just for wearing out when we need to be smarter, Like Simon said we've lived in this gear for a year and it's proven itself time and again. My Petra Pants are doing a great job, they're practical, hard wearing and still allow me to feel feminine.

We know our MHW gear will see us around the rest of the world.
*Learn more about Simon and Lisa Thomas and their bike adventures here, 2ridetheworld.com

Callisto Jacket	Mesa Convertible Pant	Petra Pant
Phantom 15	Women's Phantom 15	Windstopper Tech Jacket

New ski video by Mountain Hardwear Big Mountain Skier, Jenn Berg

Cosmiques Couloir from Jenn Berg on Vimeo. (song: Lights Out by Santigold)

*Jenn Berg is wearing the Contika Jacket, available in Fall 2010

Click here to view Ethan Pringle featured on MH Facebook

Kip Garre joins the Mountain Hardwear team | Photo by John Morrison

Kip, tell us all a bit about you. Where are you from? How long have you been skiing and guiding for a living?
Born in New Hampshire, I grew up close to Crotched Mountain and spent my childhood at Waterville Valley learning to ski. My parents taught me to ski when I was two. Since then I have had season passes to ski resorts every year. I currently live in Squaw Valley, California and ski more then ever. I am working towards becoming a fully certified guide by guiding when I can in Alaska for Points North Heli-ski and for Iceaxe. It isn't fulltime but keeps me traveling.

How was your season? Any hugely memorable trips or days?
So far my season has been really fun. It started out with a ski expedition to Nepal with some good friends. Then I flew straight to Antarctica to ski and film for Warren Miller. Two amazing trips! After that I spent some time in Tahoe enjoying some massive snow storms and great powder skiing. Then it was off to Gulmarg, Kashmir where I was ski guiding for three weeks. Next was Chamonix France to ski with some friends in the Alps and now I am in Alaska working and skiing at Points North. Lots of good skiing so far this winter and every run has been memorable.

Photos by John Morrison

What is it about ski mountaineering that tickles your fancy?
Ski mountaineering is fun because it involves so many different skills such as winter camping, climbing, fitness and skiing. One big benefit of Ski Mountaineering is you can ski where ever you want, no limits.

In the summer the snow melts.Then what?
Recently my summers are shorter and the ski season is now longer... so not too many summer days. Otherwise, I love to climb, mountain bike, skydive and BBQ.

Picture this: gnarly storm day, blowing snow, high winds, cold temps. What are you wearing to battle the elements?
On the top Carnic Jacket, Hooded Transition Jacket, Advance Short Sleeve Crew baselayer on the bottom, Synchro Pants, advance boot length tight

10 years ago, snowboarding was super cool, skiing was getting boring. Not the case today.What happened?
Skiing has always been cool and snowboarding still rules. Technology has really changed the way people ski and how they ski. Fat skis and reverse camber has given skiing a fresh new flow.

Beer: PBR or Budweiser?
Which ever one is colder and I can get quicker.

BBQ: Ribs or chicken?
Why pick just one?

Deodorant: yes or no?
Yes. Usually

"A short explaination on why I like the MHW Compressor Jacket for backcountry skiing and how I like to use it." - Andrew McLean, Mountain Hardwear Ski Mountaineer

View more Mountain Hardwear Products Andrew McLean reviews on his Backcountry Profile.

Andrew McLean has been pursuing steep skiing challenges in remote locations for over two decades and has accumulated over 100 first descents. In 2007 he completed a long term quest to capture first descents on all seven continents when he traveled to Morocco to ski in the High Atlas Mountains. McLean's specialty is ski mountaineering, which involves climbing up peaks before skiing down them. This process allows him to ski mountains where motorized access is forbidden or impractical. His passion for this sport has led to him being voted as one of the "Greatest Skiers of Our Time" by Powder Magazine and a featured segment in the Sony Classic Pictures 2007 film entitled "Steep."

Kenton Cool is Great Britain's most successful high altitude climber of the modern era having successfully summited Mount Everest seven times, and led numerous first ascents on some of the most dangerous and inhospitable mountains on the planet.

Mountain Hardwear Athlete, Kenton Cool summits Mt Everest

In addition to this unrivalled position in British climbing, Kenton's achievements are unsurpassed by any European Climber of the present day making him one of Europe's most successful high altitude climbers of all time, and he is still only 36. Kenton is now returning for a record-breaking eighth time (breaking his own record), departing the country on 31.03.2010.

This incomparable achievement has gone largely unnoticed in the UK and, for perspective, Kenton has now summited three times more than the next most successful Briton with only local Nepalese Sherpas and two other Westerners having summited more times than Kenton in the history of the mountain.

Mountain Hardwear Athlete, Kenton Cool

Kenton is also one of only two Westerners to have summited Everest twice in one week.

To quote Sir Ranulph Fiennes CBE, "I once said that Kenton was the best guide in Western Europe. I was wrong. He is in fact the best guide in the World". Since starting his climbing career, Kenton has led Sir Ranulph to both the summit of Everest and the summit of the Eiger, helping to raise over £5million in sponsorship for Marie Curie Cancer Care in the process.

Kenton's many achievements include numerous 'first ascents' such as his ascent of the South West Ridge of Annapurna III in 2003, which won him a nomination for the globally recognised Piolet d'Or, as well as becoming the first Briton to ski unaided down an 8,000m peak (Cho Oyu, the 6th largest mountain on the planet!).

Mountain Hardwear Athlete, Kenton Cool

Kenton says, "From the first time I heard about the climbing legends of Hillary, Norgay, Bonnington and Doug Scott all I've ever wanted to do is climb. These amazing men have achieved incredible feats, and inspired a generation of climbers like me. Mount Everest is part of my life, and is somewhere that I treat with the ultimate respect. To know that I am going back for an eighth time is something I'm immensly proud of".

Kenton is married to Jazz, they are expecting their first child in June this year. Kenton is 36, originally from Berkshire, and now divides his time between their house in Gloucestershire and his Alpine base in Chamonix.