Eddie Bauer tabs dream team to design First Ascent Outerwear line
02 Mar '09
4 min read
• The First Ascent of the Everest West Ridge (1963) • The First Ascent of Mount Kennedy in Canada (1965) • The First Ascent of Vinson Massif in Antarctica (1966) • The First American Ascent of Dhaulagiri in Nepal (1973) • The First American Ascent of Peak Lenin in the Russian Pamirs (1974) • The First Ascent of the North Ridge of Nanda Devi in India (1976) • The First Ascent of Great Trango Tower in Pakistan (1977) • The First American Ascent of Makalu in Nepal (1980) • The First Ascent of the Everest East Face (1983)
"First Ascent takes inspiration not only from these great historic achievements," said Neil Fiske, "but also a timeless aspiration--to be first, to do what has never been done, to believe that anything is possible. That drive is the heart of exploration and human achievement."
The guides built the First Ascent line as a complete system--from baselayer to insulating layers to softshell and hardshell outerwear. Each piece is designed to work with every other piece in the system to ensure the best fit, comfort and performance. The result is a streamlined system so versatile that it can cover any condition on the mountain.
As First Ascent Guide Melissa Arnot says, "There are a lot of dangers up there. Things we can't control. But one of the things we can control is the quality of our gear. Our lives depend on it." In addition to the garments, the First Ascent line includes backpacks, tents, knives and other essential gear.
The idea for First Ascent was born on a successful climb of Rainier, led by Peter Whittaker with Neil Fiske as a client. "It's great to re-unite two great names in American mountaineering history, Eddie Bauer and the Whittaker family," said Neil Fiske. "Eddie would be proud of what we have built."
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