Mountain Equipment 50 Years (1961-2011)
Mountain Equipment celebrates 50 years of equipping legendary expeditions and climbers, from the first ascents in the Alps to modern alpine innovations.
The British made themselves known early as skilled alpinists and climbers. The 1860s saw landmark first ascents in the Alps, including Edward Whymper’s ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865. A few decades later (the 1880s), pure rock climbing entered the picture, with Haskett Smith’s first ascent of Napes Needle in the Lake District.
In the early 1900s, English and German expeditions alternated in attempts to conquer an 8,000m peak, with Mount Everest, the world’s highest summit, being the most coveted prize. However, it would take until the 1950s before the first 8,000m peak was summited, when two Frenchmen succeeded in conquering Annapurna on June 3, 1950. But as mentioned, Mount Everest was the real goal, so it was a great triumph for the British when Tenzing/Hillary stood on the summit of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953.
Many of the British alpinists/climbers lived near the Peak District, and during the 1960s, “small industries,” strongly niche-oriented toward outdoor, grew up in the area. Climber and alpinist Peter Hutchinson had at the time a climbing shop called “The Mountaineer” in Manchester. It was only natural that all customers were friends, which wasn’t great for profitability. Peter then began sewing sleeping bags and down jackets in the back of the shop. It turned out he was exceptionally skilled at design and materials, and he quickly gained recognition. Over time, this business became Mountain Equipment, which no longer served only local climbers. The list of expeditions and climbers using ME’s products grew longer year after year. Mountain Equipment enabled many groundbreaking ascents during the 1970s by famous climbers like Don Whillans (Annapurna’s south face, 1970), Boardman, Tasker, Scott, Haston, and Bonington, among others. Peter and Don Whillans together created the first down suit.
Mountain Equipment has throughout the years maintained close collaboration with alpinists and expeditions to ensure their products perform in the most exposed environments around the world. Every decade has seen new innovative products launched. For the 1970s expeditions, the Annapurna Jacket was developed, which, with continuous updates, has become an icon and exists to this day. Another classic is the Lightline Jacket. For winter 2011/12, Mountain Equipment is launching, among other things, a jacket of the same caliber as the Annapurna but nearly half a kilogram lighter – the new Gasherbrum Jacket weighs only 800g.
Ola Hillberg, who owns High Sport, has himself participated in many expeditions and knows what’s required in exposed environments.
“I started working with Mountain Equipment in 1995. Peter Hutchinson was still active in the company and Andrew Denton had just been appointed as the new manager. I remember the respect we had for Mountain Equipment at the time because all the well-known alpinists hung out at their booth. They still do, of course, though we’ve probably become more accustomed to it. Mountain Equipment has always been the alpinists’ brand with a special aura about it, even though most products are sold to ordinary people who enjoy outdoor life and adventure in all its forms.”
Ola continues: “It has been, and still is, incredibly fun to work with Mountain Equipment. ME has always offered a good and wide selection of down products regardless of whether the market has gone up or down. It feels especially good today when demand is greater than ever. We truly look forward to presenting Mountain Equipment’s largest and most well-designed product range for the anniversary year 2011.”
