 A Big Thanks to Our SponsorsWe want to acknowledge our sponsors who have generously helped us achieve our goals on our expeditions in the past and continue to support us. Here we endorse the businesses and their products that we have used on our expeditions. We encourage you to support them. Click on the logo or web address to access their websites where available.
Macpac make gear that works! For years they have designed and built equipment from top quality materials, and then tested it in one of the planets most hostile environments, New Zealand. This gives them the edge when it comes to creating durable, functional gear that you can bet your life on. Macpac supported us in South America, China and Tibet, and they are coming with us to Patagonia as well. We'll be hanging out in their tents, hunkering down in their wet weather gear and staying warm in their Softshell, Down and Interwool clothing range. We wouldn't go without it, especially to Patagonia.
New Zealand's premier chain of outdoor stores, Bivouac Outdoor are back for more after supporting us in South America, China and Tibet. With a shop in most major centers, friendly, knowledgeable staff, and a fantastic range of gear for any adventure, these are the folk to see before you head out the door. They take their commitment to adventure seriously and are constantly sourcing the latest models and technology. From walking in the local park to hanging out on big walls, Bivouac Outdoor will kit you out.
For the 2007 Lost Tower Expedition, light weight gear that can handle 5 weeks straight of abuse and still perform is vital. We were concerned with our ski options, as most light weight models sacrifice durability and performance, that was until we heard about Ski Trab. Ski Trab is a small, 60yr old, family owned ski company from Bormio, Italy, world renowned for producing light weight, high performance and high quality skis. Ski mountaineering racers, mountain guides, ski patrollers and back country enthusiasts throughout Europe and North America have for years been running around the mountains for years with Trab ski's attached to their feet. We are stoked to be taking the Ski Trab Duo Sint Aeros with us to Patagonia. You can check out Trab's web site-www.skitrab.com or contact Grant at Ski Mountaineering Equipment Ltd for a full price list and catalogue at grant@skimountaineering.org
We have both used Scarpa plastic boots on expeditions for years, so when Scarpa told us they were keen to supply the Lost Tower Expedition, we were ecstatic. We are taking Spirit 4 ski touring boots- when we looked around these were the obvious choice, lightweight, great ski and walk mode and durable enough to get a thrashing in Patagonia. These are the only boots we'll have on the icecap so they need to be super-comfy. They are also Dynafit compatible which saves us heaps of weight on our bindings. As well as these we are taking Scarpa rock shoes and scooting around Chile in lightweight trekking boots- no more achy feet for us.
On this trip weight is of paramount importance- hence we can only carry so much food and fuel. So it is vital that we can can keep moving in all but the absolute worst weather that Patagonia can throw at us. Mapworld have supplied us with Garmin 60Cx and Garmin Legend Cx GPS units and we can be confident that even if we can't see, we can still keep moving. These GPS units are light, durable and nearly idiot proof (just as well!), we're very happy to have them.
People who use Freshmap range from recreational users (trampers, climbers, 4WD) to multisport athletes, universities and libraries, Crown Research Institutes, NZ Police and SAR facilities. Because it covers many different types of mapping, it's New Zealand's most versatile mapping system. It's also New Zealand's most up-to-date topographic mapping as it is based on the most recent data from LINZ.
On this expedition, we'll be taking along a Satellite phone. ROCOM have been been fantastic in supplying us with a phone and reduced call rates and have answered a never ending stream of questions from us techno phobic climbers. As well as being a great safety net, the phone will allow us to update the website with the latest progress, gossip and intrigue from deepest Patagonia.
Light is right on this trip and our dynafit ski touring bindings are saving us a huge amount. They are light, functional and robust- everything we need. After this trip it will be difficult to go back to anything heavier for the backcountry. You can check these out at www.dynafit.de or at the website that seems to know more about the bindings than the manufacturer, www.wildsnow.co.nz. Or you can get hold of Grant Guise the NZ importer at grant@skimountaineering.org.
The best dehy in the world!! Forget the hideous old meals of yesteryear, Backcountry make a great range of fantastic dehy. These meals fueled us on the South Face of Aconcagua, on new routes in China and Tibet, and we coming back for more.
The Gore - Shipton Tilman award is one of the most coveted expedition grants in the world and our 2004 Unclimbed China Expedition became New Zealand's third recipient One of the adventure worlds' best known companies, Gore is synonymous with waterproof, breathable and windproof clothing. Its GORE-TEX® outer-wear and more recently the WINDSTOPPER® SOFT SHELL fabrics have helped people survive in the worlds worst climates. In Tibet we will be giving ourselves every chance of success by wearing Gore Fabrics.
Where would you be without yoghurt? EasiYo are supplying us with their fancy lightweight yoghurt maker and endless packets of yoghurt. Apparently you can put very nasty looking water in, and out comes healthy, hygienic yoghurt. It's also the business for dehli-belly. They are also supplying Mighty Milk- a great liquid meal for those moments in the tent when cooking seems a bit too hard.
Placemakers is New Zealand's largest supplier of building materials and hardware. With more than 50 stores New Zealand-wide, Placemakers caters for anyone from the tradesman/commercial customer to the weekend warrior. You'll find a comprehensive range of services and competitively priced products.
The ranges of South-east Tibet have a reputation for poor weather and grim visibility. The data churned out by the X9 will make for good nights sleep, secure in the knowledge we can find our way home to a steaming cup of yak butter tea.
SportiveNZ Ltd are supplying the expeditions sunglasses and goggles. Smith have a worldwide reputation for fantastic eye protection for a whole host of sports. We're anticipating a lot of low light conditions on the peaks of Tibet, and being able to see is obviously crucial to climbing and navigation. The range of lenses in the Smiths Slider series will enable us to customize the glasses to the conditions. We're taking Mainline and TNine sunglasses and Fuse Regulator Goggles.
we've used Mother Earth snack bars to keep the engines running in all sorts of crazy places, from New Zealand adventure races, to our South American expedition and now in Tibet. Variety is important and Mother Earth produce a whole bunch of different bars to keep the energy levels up. We're really happy to have their support again for our Un climbed Tibet expedition
Founded after the successful ascent of Everest in 1953 and initially financed from surplus funds and subsequent royalties of the 1953 expedition, the Foundation was established to encourage 'exploration of the mountain regions of the earth'. John Hunt, the 1953 expedition leader was one of the main proponents.
Friend and fellow climber Jo Haines, from Wanaka, very kindly took on the project of designing the Summit Footprints website for the team and wish them luck and safe travels and climbing.
We have also been fortunate to be awarded a grant from the NZCT. New Zealand Community Trust operates gaming machines in hotels and taverns throughout New Zealand, with the aim to raise funds for the local community. The New Zealand Community Trust is a non-profit organisation, which was established in 1998. The trust distributes $30 million each year to amateur sports and community groups throughout New Zealand.
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