Polartec announced the recipients of its 23rd annual Polartec Challenge
Grant, an international grant program encouraging the spirit and
practice of human-powered outdoor adventure.
Four separate adventures
will receive funding and support from Polartec in 2014: a ski
mountaineering expedition on the largest glacier in the world outside of
the polar regions, a solo journey from Bucharest to the summit of Khan
Tengri in Kygyzstan, a traverse of the Southern Patagonia Ice Cap
documenting glacial retreat, and a sail and ski trip in and around
Iceland and Greenland.
"Since 1991, Polartec has assisted some of the world’s greatest
athletes and explorers who rely on our products and put them to the
ultimate test," says Polartec Global Director of Marketing, Allon Cohne.
“Polartec engineers fabrics designed for performance in all climates –
from lightweight next-to-skin layers, to innovative insulation, and
breathable waterproof protection. The 2014 Polartec Challenge Grant
recipients exemplify Polartec’s commitment to expanding our perception
of what's possible, and we're proud to support them."
Holly
Walker, Marcus Waring, Emilie Stenberg and Vince Shuley will follow the
flow of the Fedchenko, the largest glacier in the world outside of the
polar regions, on an unsupported six-week ski mountaineering expedition
in Tajikistan
Diaconescu Radu will embark on a nine-month
roundtrip human-powered solo journey from his home in Bucharest to the
summit of Khan Tengri, a 7000-meter peak in the Tien Shan mountains in
Kyrgyzstan.
Jim Harris will cross the 350-mile length of the
Southern Patagonia Ice Cap by ski, traction kite and packraft while
documenting the remote landscape's deteriorating glaciers.
Meghan
Kelly, Pip Hunt, Nat Segal, McKenna Peterson, Karissa Tuthill, and
Martha Hunt will attempt to ski first descents in Greenland via a
sailboat from Iceland. (Awarded in 2013.)
In addition to the
grant money, all of this year’s Polartec Challenge winners will be fully
outfitted with Polartec® garments, designed to keep them warm, dry and
comfortable in the harshest of climates.
The annual Polartec
Challenge Grant seeks to assist frugal, low impact teams who respect the
local culture and environment and serve as role models to outdoor
enthusiasts worldwide. Applications are evaluated on the basis of their
vision, commitment and credibility.
Past recipients of the Polartec
Challenge Grant include outdoor pioneers and adventurers such as Conrad
Anker, Jimmy Chin, Steve House, Jon Turk, Marko Prezelj, Andrew McLean,
Greg Hill, Mike Libecki, Kyle Dempster, Hayden Kennedy, and John
Shipton.
By press release
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