Mountain Hardwear's Climbing Team Reaches New Heights This Summer

Mountain Hardwear’s Climbing Team Reaches New Heights This Summer

The 2015 athletes spend their summer vacation breaking records and exploring new territory

Richmond, Calif. (June 22, 2015) – Mountain Hardwear, creator of performance apparel and equipment, is pleased to share the major successes and endeavors of its world-class climbing team this summer. From sport-climbing to mountaineering expeditions and backyard adventures, these athletes are making the most of their summer vacations.

Team member Ethan Pringle kicked off the season by successfully completing the second ascent of Jumbo Love (5.15b), the mega-route at Clark Mountain, CA set by Chris Sharma in 2008. The 250-foot pitch is arguably the hardest sport route in North America.

“Jumbo Love had taught me a lot about the power of optimism and perseverance,” Pringle said. “My recent experience has shown me what I’m truly capable of as a climber and I’m beyond excited to take my climbing to new levels with a lot more confidence and drive in the coming years. 

In May, Cheyne Lempe established a new route, Deconstructing Jenga VI 5.9+A3+, on the Great Cross Pillar in Baffin Island, Nuavut. Climbing with David Allfrey, the pair took 10 days to complete 18 pitches of over 1,000 meters of vertical ground.

Inspired by Rocky Mountain National Park to pursue a life devoted to climbing, Angie Payne has taken a challenge from the National Park Service to spend #100days outside. Her adventures can be tracked here: http://blog.mountainhardwear.com/100-days/

“The woods I play in today have gotten larger and the trails longer, but the lesson is still the same,” said Payne. “People need to be outside, touching the dirt, getting their feet wet and cold, rubbing the clay between their fingers, climbing the trees, and learning the truths (even the hard, cold, slimy, uncomfortable, painful ones) that Nature can teach.”

Team member Mike Libecki spent Father’s Day on Mount Kilimanjaro with his daughter Lilly, marking off a visit to her seventh and final continent.

Mountain Hardwear’s Climbing Team includes: Tim Emmett, Cheyne Lempe, Mike Libecki, Angie Payne, Ueli Steck, Freddie Wilkinson, Dawn Glance, Ethan Pringle, Matt Wilder, Janet Wilkinson and Erik Weihenmayer.

About Mountain Hardwear:

Mountain Hardwear is a leader in innovative, premium outdoor apparel, equipment and accessories. We celebrate bold ideas, the drive to challenge the edges of our potential, and the joy, friendships and personal growth that come from that endeavor. We work with era-defining athletes to develop lightweight, easy-to-use and incredibly well-crafted outdoor clothing and equipment. Mountain Hardwear, Inc., founded in 1993 and based in Richmond, CA, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia Sportswear Company and distributes its products through specialty outdoor, running, and sporting goods retailers in the United States and 58 countries worldwide. www.mountainhardwear.com

For more information contact JAM Media Collective Julie Atherton at 415.839.7546 or julie@jamcollective.net