Sierra Designs Sponsors Outdoor Organizations and Expeditions

Sierra Designs, an environmental stewardship advocate, adventure seeker and authentic technical leader in developing innovative outdoor products including tents, sleeping bags and clothing announced its 2007-2008 alliance partnership programs to maximize product awareness and support sustainable practices.

“For over 42 years we have been crafting lighter, stronger, better gear that has been tested in some of the harshest conditions by some of the worlds top organizations, expeditions and explorers,” said Paul Gagner, president of Sierra Designs. “Through our partnerships, we can gain valuable product testing data that we can use during product development and advancement. By continually expanding our alliances with some of the great outdoor pioneers, we can continually innovate our products year after year.”

Eric Larsen, Explorer/Save-the-Poles
Polar Explorer Eric Larsen has spent his entire life in pursuit of wilderness. In 2009, Eric hopes to accomplish an amazing “first” by reaching both poles and the summit of Mount Everest (often considered the third pole) in a single year. Sierra Designs is providing him with ample gear for his historic quest and project called “Save the Poles” which supports efforts to address climate change and protect polar bears from extinction due to loss of habitat. Sierra Designs will be following him through two years of training while he tests the equipment and apparel and provides the company feedback through his journey.

Shared Summits K2 Expedition
This summer, Chris Warner and his Shared Summits team will be climbing the east face of K2, the world’s toughest mountain with over 10,000 feet of extremely technical climbing. Sierra Designs has provided the team with tons of equipment and apparel for their journey that will begin in Islamabad, traveling via the Karakorum Highway into Pakistan’s remote Northern Provinces. The Shared Summits team has partnered with the Maryland Department of Education, Johns Hopkins University & Educators Connecting Research to the K-16 Classroom to promote outdoor education and enthusiasm. Team leader, Chris Warner, a veteran of dozens of international expeditions, as well as a TV personality and lecturer will speak to thousands of kids about the expedition upon its completion in fall 2007.

Glenn Dunmire, The Real Continental Divide
Glenn Dunmire, an avid climber and naturalist, will hike the length of the Continental Divide, from the Chihuahuan desert in New Mexico to Canada. Though there is a Continental Divide trail, it deviates largely from the true crest of the divide for most of its length. Glenn hopes to cover as much of the journey in 2007, before winter snows close the highest passes in the Rockies. Sierra Designs will be outfitting Glenn with gear and apparel and will be following him along his journey, documenting his experiences and reactions to the products and technologies.

In addition, Sierra Designs has partnered with such organizations as, The American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), American Alpine Club, Peace Pedalers and Jackson Hole Mountain Guides to provide them with tents, sleeping bags and apparel to gain positive exposure and receive valuable product feedback.

About Sierra Designs
In 1965, Sierra Designs was the original pioneer of outdoor equipment and apparel. Today, the company has become renowned as one of the leading outdoor brands: a company that relies on its authenticity and experiences to share its personal passion of the outdoors through specialty retailers in the community. As an established, heritage brand, Sierra Designs strives to use its experience, mountain lifestyle and sustainability learnings to create innovative and authentic products that fuel the passion for the outdoor journey. Sierra Designs is the authority on outdoor gear and apparel, a company that strives to seek adventure and a reliable and trustworthy friend. For more information visit their website at www.sierradesigns.com. 


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