My Sponsors
VUARNET
Specialised Sunglasses
Vuarnet has been designing the best sun lenses since 1957. Made by craftsmen in France in their factory in Meaux, which has received the prestigious Living Heritage Company (EPV) label. Vuarnet mineral lenses are natural, and recyclable as opposed to plastic " verres " made of plastic called " organiques ". Equipped with Polarized or Lynx® technologies, they ensure the highest levels of Precision and Durability Protection. I will be using three of their glasses for my K2 Insulin Challenge:
Vuarnet Ice 1709 – Cat 4: https://eu.vuarnet.com/products/ice-1709-medium?variant=30311308984367
Vuarnet Air 2010 – Cat 4: https://eu.vuarnet.com/products/air-2010-large?variant=32706546335791
Vuarnet Medium Ski Mask – Cat 3: https://eu.vuarnet.com/collections/sport/products/masque-de-ski-1?variant=32706546597935
MONTANE
Endurance Clothing & Equipment
I have been sponsored by Montane since 2013 when along with Twid Turner, Calum Muskett and Raphael Jochaud, we made a new route on the South Pillar of Paine, the last great problem in Patagonia’s Torres Del Paine. Our 900m. “The Wall of Paine". was continuously difficult with many taxing A3+ loose and expanding pitches, technical free climbing up to 7b, and some spicey Scottish mixed at the top. This hard ‘suffer fest’ epitomised Patagonian Big Wall climbing at its best. We survived the wall and the constant abuse of the Patagonian climate and came home alive without frost bite or serious incident. Amazingly so did our gear – all of which was Montane! The blue "Event" jacket in these pictures I still use for alpinism and ice climbing in 2021. Since our 2013 expedition I have used Montane base layers, fleeces, synthetic jackets, shell clothing, rucksacks, gaiters, gloves (from liners to winter alpine) and head gear for all my trips, climbs and expeditions. ‘nough said!
LIFESYSTEMS
Outdoor Survival Kits & Equipment
LifeSystems is part of a 50-person team of product developers and true travel experts, supplying expedition gear to specialist retailers in more than 40 countries worldwide. Their products are British designed, and their quality is beyond compare. I have ben sponsored by LifeSystems since 2008. I use their kit on all my expeditions, including their First Aid kits, water bottles, insect repellents, sunscreen, travel towels, wash bags, thermal protection – you name it. They have also made up special insulated glucometer and insulin pen bags which I use all every climb I do. Their kit has helped me in a variety of conditions, but I have got to say their two-man survival shelter literally saved my life in Patagonia when I was alone on a remote glacier in freezing conditions with no place to hide when I went into a bad hypo. My blood sugars dropped rapidly and had no energy to even crawl. Check out this video.
This is the kit that saved me…
SCARPA
Technical Footwear
Before I launch, let me just say a huge THANK YOU to the Mountain Boot Company in the UK - in particular, Jo Overton and Nathan Fullwood - for their constant support and belief in my mountain projects since the early 2010’s.
So why Scarpa? Well, I have done an international climbing expedition most years since I first climbed Mt Blanc in 1977. Consequently, I have tried every boot out there, from Koflach Ultras, to double leather Laverado’s, Asolo plastics, Sportiva Spantiks, Olympus Mons and Nepali Tops. Yet because I have really wide feet, BUT short toe to heel, I have always had to endure blisters and a lot of pain throughout my climbing life. I ALWAYS had to spend days “wearing boots in”. Which actually meant breaking my feet in, so they got used to the boots! Scarpa boots are different. If you want to read why all that pain has disappeared and why I think the Scarpa range of boots, but especially the Phantoms, are the best for mountain adventures, check out this PDF.
Peter Hutchinson Designs
Specialist Mountain Clothing
PHD - Peter Hutchinson Designs - hand sew all their specialist mountain clothing in the UK. PHD is a world leader in super light, super warm, down clothing, and sleeping bags. They also make ventile and synthetic garments for a wide variety of mountain athletes, mountain rescue teams, mountain guides and high-altitude professional mountaineers.
If you look at any top of the range manufacturers, they will talk about the best down being duck or goose down with a fill power (FP) of max 850. PHD source goose down, and it’s only pure goose down, at 900, 950 and 1000 FP. That is unheard of!
For my 2021 K2 expedition double suit I will be wearing the PHD Expedition Double Suit in combination with their K Series Hispar 500 sleeping bag at night.
ASCENSIA
Diabetes Equipment
Established through the acquisition of Bayer Diabetes Care, Ascensia is dedicated to improving the health and lives of people with diabetes. I have used their CONTOUR™ Next range of blood glucose monitoring systems, for all my expeditions and climbs because the Contour is simply the most durable, easiest to use and the best for really cold conditions. Whether I am at 6,000m. in the Himalaya or in -20C conditions on an ice climb in the alps.