Polartec announces grant recipients
02/02/2010
Performance fabrics manufacturer has announced the winners of its annual Challenge Grant, a programme that seeks to assist frugal, low-impact outdoor expedition teams who respect the local culture and environment, and serve as role models to outdoor enthusiasts worldwide.
In this, the nineteenth year of the programme, the company is awarding a total of $20,000 to four separate expeditions that will take place this year. The four are a climbing attempt in Pakistan, a 10,000-kilometre bike ride along the Silk Route in Asia, a quest for endless skiing and the continuation of 13-year-old Jordan Romero’s quest for the Seven Summits (climbing the highest mountains of each continent, with a couple of extra mountains included because of disputes about the continents to which some peaks belong).
Climber and writer Kelly Cordes, who is a member of Polartec’s Athlete Advisory Board, and his climbing partner, Kyle Dempster, will travel to Pakistan’s Charakusa Valley to attempt the first ascent of an unnamed rock spire. The 6,200-meter spire, near K7, has been attempted several times and its virgin summit remains an objective that requires the rare combination of high-end rock skills, tenacity and high-altitude mixed-climbing.
The second grant is awarded to Kate Harris and Mel Yule for a bike expedition along the ancient Silk Road. During their year-long ride from Nepal to Turkey, the pair will use their scientific, environmental and sustainable development training to investigate the natural and social impacts of six unique “transboundary protected areas” along the route. The goal is to raise awareness about environmental conservation across borders as a peace-building endeavour.
The third grant will go to renowned ski mountaineer Greg Hill, who will attempt to climb and ski over two million vertical feet in 2010. He has already set a world record by climbing and skiing 50,000 feet in 24 hours, and plans to seek out and explore new ski descents on mountains in Canada, the US and South America over the course of the year. Throughout his quest, Hill will film and document each climb and descent, offering viewers an unparalleled glimpse into the world of backcountry skiing.
The final grant recipient is Jordan Romero from Big Bear, California who, at the age of 13, has already climbed the highest peaks on six different continents. This spring, he intends to climb Mount Everest and later this year, Mt. Vinson in Antarctica. In his attempt to become the youngest person to climb the Seven Summits, he has become a role model and mentor to other children, speaking at schools about climbing, exercise and the outdoors.
“The Polartec Challenge celebrates our heritage as a technical outdoor company by supporting dreams for big adventure,” said global director of marketing, Nate Simmons. “Kelly is a terrific ambassador for the climbing world and his goal is truly ambitious; Kate and Mel will use their journey as a powerful tool for conservation; Greg is a machine on skis; and Jordan inspires a whole new generation of mountaineers.”
In addition to the grant money, the winners will be fully outfitted with Polartec garments, designed to keep them warm, comfortable and dry in the harshest of climates.
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