Metolius Provides Support to Empowering Women of Nepal

Media Contact
Aubrey Volger
Verde PR
970.259.3555
aubrey@verdepr.com

Bend, Ore. (April 16, 2013) – Metolius, makers of the safest and best rock climbing gear around, sponsors Empowering Women of Nepal (EWN). EWN, an organization through 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking, trains and educates women in Nepal, including the remote underdeveloped areas of Western Nepal. Established in 1999, EWN works with women who have very low self-esteem and confidence to build their expectations on quality of life.

“We’re proud to support this organization,” says Brooke Sandahl, Vice President of Metolius Climbing. “We think it’s awesome that the group has honed into climbing as a way to instill confidence in women. Providing gear to keep them safe is the least we can do to support such a positive cause.”

Metolius provides climbing gear for EWN’s program that aims to inspire local women to capture employment opportunities in guiding services, as eco and adventure tourism is on the rise in Nepal. Most trainees enter the program with no knowledge of trekking and tourism. They learn about the local industry through studies on leadership, culture and religion, map reading, flora and fauna.

While the core component of the program is to educate professional trekking guides, the training provides a safe environment to build confidence in the vulnerable, rural women. EWN has found that the climbing portion of training effectively boosts self-esteem in attendees.

“We are very grateful to Metolius Climbing for generously donating rock climbing equipment to Empowering Women of Nepal,” says Archana Karki Chhetri, EWN Project Manager. “The climbing gear is so valuable to the continued safety and training of our women. In Nepal, quality climbing equipment is not highly available. And when available, it is extremely expensive for small non-profits like EWN to invest in. Thus, with the donations from Metolius Climbing, EWN is able to offer rock climbing programs to our guides and also to clients who are interested in climbing.”

In addition to offering climbing programs, EWN teaches lessons in health, hygiene, nutrition and waste management. The higher goal is to educate young women valuable lessons so they can go back to their rural communities and share what they learn.

For more information about EWN, please visit www.grassrootsjourneys.com and give them a “like” on facebook.

For more information about Metolius, please visit www.metoliusclimbing.com

About Metolius
Founded in 1983 near the headwaters of the Metolius River, Metolius equipment was born out of respect for rock climbing. Metolius has since built a solid reputation as a leading designer and manufacturer of performance rock climbing equipment that is Safer by Design. Metolius has always focused on new and innovative rock climbing gear while ensuring the highest quality available. They’ve built a strong reputation as an innovator in the design of cutting-edge rock climbing gear. Metolius is proud to be able to claim innovations in just about every category of rock climbing gear from traditional, sport, bouldering and big wall/technical alpine. Metolius also works to educate others to preserve the environment and the climbing lifestyle. For more information, visit http://www.metoliusclimbing.com/