2014 Outdoor Inspiration Award Lifetime Achievement Recipient, Jeff Lowe, Raises $7,000

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2014 Outdoor Inspiration Award Lifetime Achievement Recipient, Jeff Lowe, Raises $7,000

Proceeds raised will go toward Jeff Lowe’s Metanoia, the film chronicling his life

San Juan Capistrano, CA —March 12, 2014—Outdoor legend, Jeff Lowe was honored with the Outdoor Inspiration Award Lifetime Achievement distinction at a special ceremony at the recent 2014 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market event in Salt Lake City, Utah. During the event, the outdoor industry rallied during a silent auction, to be used to complete Lowe’s current project, the film Jeff Lowe’s Metanoia, narrated by Jon Krakauer. Auction items included signed memorabilia, photographs, books, and gear. A sneak peak of the film left viewers amazed by the efforts and accomplishments of this legendary alpinist and ice climber.

Lowe received the Award in recognition of his over 1000 first accents and his other contributions to the climbing community. Lowe’s passion for technical, aesthetically beautiful and interesting rock, ice and alpine climbs has taken him all over the world for nearly 40 years. The history of his life is filled with adventure, triumphs and challenges. Now faced with his biggest challenge—Jeff is battling a neurological disease that has continued to progress.

“We would like for the industry to really get a sense of the breadth of Jeff’s contributions to the outdoor industry over his lifetime, which is why he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Connie Self, Film Producer. “We want the outdoor family to know that supporting the film project not only supports Jeff, who has done so much for the community, but also supports the outdoor industry by making climbing and any outdoor experience more valuable to any person who has ever faced a challenge. Jeff continues to demonstrate over and over again that doing the best he can with what he’s got – from mountain-top to wheelchair – carries him to success by being in the present moment.” 

For over 50 years Lowe has made major contributions to the outdoor industry from historic climbs, to inventing gear and apparel, to hosting and launching numerous can’t miss outdoor sports special events. And he continues to leave his mark—sharing his passion and insight along the way.

He developed ice climbing on Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride, CO in 1974; established mixed climbing on Octopussy in 1994, developed the grading system for mixed and water ice climbing, and was a master teacher. Lowe is also known as a design innovator, having created technical outerwear, clothing and climbing equipment including the first soft shell garment–the Diamond Pullover by Latok, the Tuber, and also with his brothers, Mike, Greg and Kim Lowe, the Hummingbird Ice Tools, Footfangs, and Tri Cams by Lowe Alpine.

In an effort to bring national attention to climbing and other backcountry sports, Lowe developed several events including the 1st World Cup Sport Climbing Championships on US soil in 1989, the Ouray Ice Festival in 1996, the Ogden ClimbFest 2006, and the Utah High Adventure Mountain Film Festival in 2007. He also designed and built the X-Games Ice Tower and ran the competition in 1997.

“Presently on hospice support at home in Louisville, CO, Jeff continues to innovate, have fun, work hard and get smart as he strives to complete his largest project to date – his legacy in the form of a film – Jeff Lowe’s Metanoia, to be completed later this year,” said Self. “The film explores Lowe’s life and the climbs of this legendary alpinist. His practice of living in the present moment carries him into a future he thought he could not have. His resilience, positive attitude and love for life inspires and informs. It is what he did in climbing and continues to do now that makes this story so important to tell.”

Jeff Lowe’s Metanoia will be completed this summer. View the film trailer at http://jeffloweclimber.com/jeff-lowes-metanoia-trailer.html. To provide additional support for the completion of this work, donations and sponsorship can be made at: http://www.jeffloweclimber.com/Supporters.html.

The Outdoor Inspiration Award, created by adidas Outdoor, with the Outdoor Industry Association and Outdoor Retailer, are designed to recognize and champion those individuals, groups and companies whose efforts are breaking new ground and encouraging others to enjoy, participate in and support outdoor activities. This year’s class of Outdoor Inspiration Award winners includes: Company Winner — Timbuk2™, Group Winner — NOLS: Expedition Denali, Individual Winner –Timmy O’Neill. Thank you to additional sponsors including Boy Scouts of America and Litle & Co.

About Outdoor Retailer
Outdoor Retailer (OR) brings together retailers, manufacturers, industry advocates and media to conduct the business of outdoor recreation through tradeshows, product demo events and web-based business solutions. Produced by Emerald Expositions and based in San Juan Capistrano, California, Outdoor Retailer also provides and promotes retailer education, advocacy, responsibility and critical face-to-face business initiatives within the outdoor industry. 

Consistently named among Trade Show News Network’s 25 fastest-growing tradeshows by attendance, Outdoor Retailer (www.outdoorretailer.com) connects approximately 50,000 attendees on a semi-annual basis for its Summer and Winter Market shows, and thousands more through its year-round online resources and platforms.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kate Blom-Lowery
Outdoor Retailer
Director of Public Relations
949-226-5779
kate.lowery@emeraldexpo.com