Original Buff Sponsors Alpine Ascents International

Buff® Headwear, trendsetter of popular, versatile and multifunctional headwear, will be providing all 14 guides and climbers from Alpine Ascents International with assortment of UV and Original Buff® samples for Everest expedition set to depart March 24, 2009.

“Original Buff® is pleased to have the opportunity to sponsor such an amazing expedition with UV and Original Buff® products. Most guides and sherpas who have used a Buff on past Everest expeditions find that it’s the perfect baselayer to have and wear on the expedition where every piece of gear counts. Never too hot or cold,” says Shirley Choi Brunette, United States general manager.

“After winning the American Alpine Institute’s prestigious “Guides Choice” award in August 2008, Buff® has really gained momentum in the mountaineering market by proving its performance and durability through rigorous field testing,” continues Shirley.

Alpine Ascents International is a premiere expedition guide service that leads trips all over the world, from Mount Rainier to the Himalayas to the Andes. National Geographic Magazine named Alpine Ascents one of the “Best Travel Companies on Earth” in February 2009. Additionally, Alpine Ascents is deeply committed to the environment by always employing Leave No Trace ethics and maintaining natural landscapes and ecosystems around the world.

Alpine Ascents International guides and climbers leave the U.S. on March 24, 2009 and will begin the climbing expedition with a ten-day trek into base camp. After a few weeks spent acclimating and establishing higher camps, the team members (guides, climbers and amazing Sherpa crew) look forward to a summit bid mid to late May.

“The conditions above base camp can be severe with wind, low temperatures and exceptionally high UV, which demand the best protection. The many different functions of the Buff help the team to climb comfortably through this wide range of conditions during the expedition. One day the Buff is used to keep the sweat out of climbers’ eyes, and the next to keep icy winds off their faces, “ says Michael Horst, Alpine Ascents guide.

The UV Buff® protects against 95-percent of damaging UV rays and can be worn over 12 different ways to accommodate different temperatures and offer a custom fit.

The UV Buff® is made from CoolMax® fabric to provide superior moisture wicking and dry comfort properties, as well as helping to reduce skin temperature and maintain hydration.

The Original Buff® is made from microfiber fabric and, like the UV Buff®, offers exceptional moisture management properties. The Original Buff® does not provide UV protection up to 95-percent.

All Buff® models incorporate Polygiene technology for active odor and sweat control by releasing non-toxic silver ions to break down odor-causing bacteria.

Buff® will be launching three, new Everest prints in the Original Buff® and National Geographic Buff® collections. The Everest, Seven Summits and Everest Map prints will be shipping to retailers in August 2009.

Please visit the Buff® Social Media Release site (http://www.verdepr.com/smr/buff) for up-to-date company information, featured products, video, images, catalogs and more.

Also, please check out the Buff® website (http://www.buff.us/).

About Buff® Headwear Original Buff® is based outside of Barcelona, Spain, and opened a U.S. sales office in early 2003. Popular for more than a decade in Europe and used since the show’s inception on CBS’s Survivor television series, Buff® Headwear is distributed in more than 42 countries. Buff performance headwear is all about versatilities and simplicity – one garment serves many functions. Among other uses, a Buff can be worn as a hat, neck gaiter, balaclava, bandana, scarf, hair band, helmet liner, headband, pirate-style cap or as a sun, wind or dust screen. Designed to offer technical performance and protection from the elements during a wide range of outdoor activities and sports, Buff Headwear is available in hundreds of styles and designs. For more information on the entire line of Buff performance headwear, call 707.569.9009 or visit the Buff® website.