Human hair fabrics scale Mount Aconcagua
09/01/2023
The mountain is the world’s highest outside the Himalayas, with a summit elevation of 6,961 metres.
Mr Avezzano, who joined the start-up in October as co-founder, last climbed Aconcagua four years ago, where he experienced wind chill of minus 50 degrees Celsius, wind speeds of 90 kilometres per hour and whiteout weather conditions. “If I hadn’t had the right gear, I would have suffered from frostbite, or even worse,” he said of that trip on social media.
He will now test Human Material Loop’s latest technologies, made from keratin protein fibre recovered from human hair waste, on his own body, documenting the process and answering questions via digital storytelling platform The School of Travel.
The fabrics are 100% natural-fibre, long-lasting and both “stronger and warmer” than those already on the market, Mr Avezzano posted ahead of beginning his ascent.
On its website, Human Material Loop describes textile fibres made from human hair as non-toxic, non-irritant, flexible, oil-absorbing and lightweight, with high tensile strength and thermal insulation properties. Europe alone sends 72 million kilograms of waste human hair to landfill or incinerators, the company says.
Mr Avezzano wears prototype gear by Human Material Loop, made in collaboration with designer Leila Gordon. Credit: Michele Fini.
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