Black Diamond Awarded 2009 Pfeifferhorn-Conservation Leadership Award

Black Diamond Equipment Ltd., a global leader in the climbing and freeride ski markets, was awarded the Pfeifferhorn – Conservation Leadership award by six leading Utah conservation and environmental organizations. These organizations include: Save Our Canyons, The Nature Conservancy, Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club, Wild Utah Project, Wasatch Mountain Club and the Great Salt Lake Audubon Society.

“In creating our business over 20 years ago, we said our purpose was to make a difference on behalf of our fellow community of users and we committed ourselves to ‘championing’ the access to and preservation of mountain, canyon and crag environments,” says Peter Metcalf, President and CEO of Black Diamond Equipment. “On behalf of Black Diamond’s employees, we sincerely thank all of these fine organizations for what they do for Utah and the people of the United States.”

Metcalf accepted the award at last night’s ceremony on behalf of Black Diamond Equipment. This recognition marks the first time a “for profit” business has been awarded with this honor. Under Peter’s leadership, Black Diamond supports more than 25 organizations across the United States—both financially and by encouraging activism and providing on-the-ground support. Additionally, Metcalf has presented to both Houses of Congress in the past year, urging them to protect Utah’s Wild Places. Most recently, Metcalf met with the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands on America’s Redrock Wilderness Act.

“The Pfeifferhorn – Conservation Leadership Award exemplifies the beauty we strive to protect,” states Save Our Canyon’s Executive Director, Carl Fisher. “It also symbolizes the great vision that we need to accomplish that protection.”

The Pfeifferhorn – Conservation Leadership Award is awarded each year to the individual whom these organizations believe best served the public interest the preceding year. The recipient is a person who worked very hard and diligently to preserve and protect some aspect of the natural environment of the State of Utah. The award’s name originated from one of the Salt Lake area’s highest peaks, the Pfeifferhorn.


Winner of the Outside magazine 2009 Gear of the Year for the Justice Freeride Ski, Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. is an employee-owned manufacturer of equipment for rock climbing, alpinism and freeride skiing. By consistently building innovative, standard-setting products and actively preserving the mountain environment, Black Diamond has assumed a leadership role in the international outdoor community.