Mountain Hardwear announces sponsorships

1,600km Great Himalayan Trail among expeditions to receive funding from outdoor gear company

Outdoor clothing and equipment company Mountain Hardwear has announced its Expedition Sponsorship Programme for 2010, supporting breakthrough climbs in the Himalayas, up glaciers, and a year-long cycle ride for charity.

The company is offering support to five expeditions to the tune of $10,000. “[Our] sponsorship programme was funded to encourage people to explore the outdoors with a goal of motivating adventurers to follow their passions and chase their dreams,” a spokesperson said.

And chase their dreams they will, as the five successful recipients embark on some physically demanding adventures. The first follows photographer Eleanor Moseman who will set off on a year-long solo bicycle journey through Asia in April. As well as documenting her journey through China, Russia and Mongolia through photography and books, she is cycling to raise money for Girls Education International and Stepping Stones China. Her aim is to raise awareness for female equality and rights in China (www.2wheels4girls.com).

In May, two American ski mountaineers, Nathan Rowland and Ollie Nieuwland-Zlotnicki will attempt to circumnavigate glaciers in the rarely visited or explored Tien-Shan mountain range in Kyrgyzstan.

The third recipient of the sponsorship is a group planning to attempt an alpine-style first ascent of the North Ridge of Latok I (7,145m) in the Himalayas. The 2,500m climb is one of the most difficult and challenging in the world, ascending up steep terrain in extreme weather conditions. Aiming to complete the expedition in just 15 days, this project is notorious for being one of the most unfinished climbs in the Himalayas.

As autumn falls, Malcom Bass and Pat Deavoll will be attempting to climb Jankuth (6805m) on the Gangotri Glacier in Northern India. Adopting a ‘fast and light’ approach, the two previously attempted the climb but could not complete it due to inclement weather. Jankuth remains the highest mountain left unclimbed in the Gangotri region.

The last of Mountain Hardwear’s sponsored adventures follows three women who plan to complete a traverse of the Great Himalayan Trail in Nepal between November 2010 and April 2011. These wilderness explorers will be the first women and Americans to complete the 1,600km traverse across Nepal.

The Expedition Sponsorship Programme has a history of success with 2009 sponsorship recipient Marc Hoffmeister being named National Geographic Adventure’s Adventurer of the Year. The team leader of Operation Denali, he led five other Iraq war veterans on an assault on Denali in June 2009.

For more information on the expeditions visit: www.mountainhardwear.com