Talus athlete, Hari Mix, and his crew headed to Everest Basecamp #3 for the final climatization climb. Hari and team are searching how everyday activities are affected in extreme environments. Hari left a phonecast on his last blog dated April 24th, 2013 saying that he was looking forward to the climb and would be back in five to seven days. To listen to the entire phonecast click here. We would like to say good luck to Hari and his team on his climbs and research on Everest! 
Posts Tagged ‘mountain climbing’
Hari and crew head to Everest Basecamp #3
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013ColdAvenger Takes on Nanga Parbat
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011Marek Klanowski is a badass. Among many things, he bicycled his way through the Russian Caucuses, culminating in a climb of Mt Elbrus (by number of deaths, Elbrus is one of the World’s deadliest mountains.) Marek Klonowski is a man of action and of many talents. Traveling, taking still images and shooting films is his passion, and climbing mountains, hitchhiking, cycling long distances and sailing is his way of traveling. Marek climbed in the Tatra Mountains, in the Dolomites in Italy, in the Kackar Mountains in Turkey, in the Caucasus Mountains, and in Alaska (first solo Denali traverse in history – from Wonder Lade to Base Camp). He traveled solo by bicycle from Poland to the Adriatic Sea (3000 km), around the Black Sea by bicycle (6700 km), and around the Baltic Sea with a 45 kg dog on his trailer (5600 km). He raced in the Olympic class 470, sailed to Svalbard twice, and has worked on the biggest sailing ship in the world. Last year he spent in Ireland working as an engineer…
So, yeah, Marek is ColdAvenger material. This year Talus is sponsoring Marek on his attempt at a winter ascent of Nanga Parbat in Pakistan. ColdAvenger will give him the edge as he attempts this never before completed feat. Check out the video from his attempt last year.
You can visit his website. It’s in Polish, but the amazing films require no translation…
Keepin’ ya Warm in the Poconos and Beyond
Thursday, October 13th, 2011You know where it gets cold? Maine, that’s where. You know where else? Michegan, right? Minnesota? YEAH! Upstate New York? Uh huh. 
So, we’re pretty excited that we have signed a deal with premier buying group Snowsports Merchandising Corporation, offering its retail members immediate sell-in and delivery in 2011/2012.
We needed a boost in retail outlets in the northeast, so I’m excited by this partnership with Snowsports Merchandising Corporation. It’s great to be offering a unique buying proposition and value-add to these retailers who already utilize and trust Snowsports buying group.
SMC has a broad reach, and really helps us hit those Northeast markets, so we’re looking forward to keeping faces warm in all them cold spots. Nordic skiing in Tilson Creek Park, International Falls, MN? No prob, ColdAvenger’s got you covered. Heck, how about some of those Vikings games, peeps?
(Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
This guy needs a ColdAvenger Expedition Balaclava, no?
Hunting the big bucks in Grand Forks? We can help.
Hooking for the walleye in the frozen lakes around Cheboygan? Put on the ColdAvenger!
AND, we’re talking Winter 2011 delivery, peeps.
BE COLD NO MORE!!!
Sights from the Summit: Blair Falahey Reflects on Kanchenjunga
Wednesday, July 20th, 2011What does the world look like from the top of its third tallest mountain? ColdAvenger athlete Blair Falahey knows.
On May 20, 2011 Blair and his team summited the 8,586 meter giant known as Kanchenjunga, successfully completing the hardest climb Blair has ever attempted. He wrote us a brief note from base camp, but promised to send more details about the climb when he returned home from his travels. The anxiously awaited email just landed in our inbox, and we couldn’t wait to pass the story of Blair’s incredible summit along to you!
From Blair Falahey:
(In the beginning)
For me, the hardest part about summit day is getting my rhythm down and settling in to a comfortable pace, one that I can hold and maintain for the 10-15 hours it will take to get to the summit, immediately followed by another 5-6 hours back down. It’s like running a marathon; you have to pace yourself.
We’re about one hour into the climb when it starts to get cold … really cold. Sherpa Dawa and I are all alone. There is no one behind us, and for what seems like miles above us we can see the headlamps of a dozen or so climbers flickering like diamonds in the darkness.
As we move up the mountain we slowly draw closer and closer to the climbers ahead … As the temperature continues to drop I become more worried about keeping my toes from freezing. It’s a constant battle, and every time I stop to catch my breath I have to bash my right boot into the snow and wiggle my toes, trying get some life back into those numb little stumps.
As we move up the mountain we slowly draw closer and closer to the climbers ahead … As the temperature continues to drop I become more worried about keeping my toes from freezing. It’s a constant battle, and every time I stop to catch my breath I have to bash my right boot into the snow and wiggle my toes, trying get some life back into those numb little stumps.
(Closer…closer…)
The climb from Camp 4 starts off relatively easy, but as we enter the snow gully it becomes increasingly steeper. The first part of the gully climb is fixed with ropes, but halfway up the gully the rope ends, and climbers must free climb to the end of it.
It’s a scary place — to catch a crampon or lose your balance here would mean a long fall (more than1km) and certain death. It’s around this time that the morning’s exertions catch up with me and I start to feel tired. The constant effort to keep the toes of my right foot warm is physically draining. Dawa and I sit down on a rock to take a break … I finally get a chance to look back at where we have just come from, and I am lost for words at what I see. The valleys below are covered in low-level clouds. The moon is full and the sky crystal clear. One mountain stands defiant above all the others, poking through the clouds below. It is a truly majestic sight … It is during moments like these that I understand why I climb.
It’s a scary place — to catch a crampon or lose your balance here would mean a long fall (more than1km) and certain death. It’s around this time that the morning’s exertions catch up with me and I start to feel tired. The constant effort to keep the toes of my right foot warm is physically draining. Dawa and I sit down on a rock to take a break … I finally get a chance to look back at where we have just come from, and I am lost for words at what I see. The valleys below are covered in low-level clouds. The moon is full and the sky crystal clear. One mountain stands defiant above all the others, poking through the clouds below. It is a truly majestic sight … It is during moments like these that I understand why I climb.
(Summit, summit, summit!)
Finally, I see the ledge that leads to the summit plateau.
It’s one last step and a scramble across the rocks before I am on snow again. This last exertion leaves me out of breath, and I am hunched over trying to get it back. When I recover I look up and see it – the flat walk to the summit, a mere 30m away.
A couple of my team members have already reached the top, and it finally hits me. I am actually going to do this. This is really going to happen. I walk the last section and scream, “Summit!”
So many emotions hit me. We have just climbed the world’s third highest mountain, the toughest of them all. It’s just past 8:30 a.m., which means it took us more than 12 hours to get to the summit. Everest only took me eight hours … that gives you an indication of just how hard my night had been.
It’s one last step and a scramble across the rocks before I am on snow again. This last exertion leaves me out of breath, and I am hunched over trying to get it back. When I recover I look up and see it – the flat walk to the summit, a mere 30m away.
A couple of my team members have already reached the top, and it finally hits me. I am actually going to do this. This is really going to happen. I walk the last section and scream, “Summit!”
So many emotions hit me. We have just climbed the world’s third highest mountain, the toughest of them all. It’s just past 8:30 a.m., which means it took us more than 12 hours to get to the summit. Everest only took me eight hours … that gives you an indication of just how hard my night had been.
The weather is incredible. The clouds cover the valleys below, but everything else towers above in clear blue skies — you can see Everest, Makalu and Lhotse, the world’s first, fourth and fifth highest mountains. There is a little wind, but nothing major. I have on my balaclava and lightweight line gloves as I take photos.
I pull out my satellite phone, which I have carried all the way to the summit. First I call my dad. I always try to call him from the summit, weather permitting. He picks up the phone and I yell into it: “Summit, summit, summit!” He is just as happy as I am, sharing in the excitement and pride of my achievement.
I pull out my satellite phone, which I have carried all the way to the summit. First I call my dad. I always try to call him from the summit, weather permitting. He picks up the phone and I yell into it: “Summit, summit, summit!” He is just as happy as I am, sharing in the excitement and pride of my achievement.
Throughout the expedition I had been in correspondence with a fourth grade teacher and his students from my old school. The kids had been sending me emails with all kinds of questions about my expedition, and I had promised that, should I summit, I would call the class from the top of the mountain. The teacher picks up the phone. I tell him I have done it; I am on the summit of the world’s third highest mountain. He holds up the phone for the kids to say hi, and despite all of the wind and noise I can still hear the 20 or so kids yelling and screaming excitedly. It is now that I feel immensely proud of my achievement, and it is hearing those little voices that makes all of the pain and suffering worthwhile. It was a moment in my life that I will never forget.
What an incredible accomplishment, Blair — again, congratulations on a mountain well climbed!
Spring 2011 Expedition Update from ExplorersWeb
Tuesday, June 14th, 2011ExplorersWeb.com’s put together a news roundup from the 2011 expedition spring season. The roundup includes updates from the Himalayas, the North Pole, and beyond, including the World Record of Altitude in Paragliding.
From the top of Everest to over the sea: World Record of Altitude in Paragliding One couldn’t fly, the other didn’t climb – together on Everest they broke the World Record of Altitude in Paragliding. Read More…
It also included this statement about Cold Avenger.
K2 rescuer about the Cold Avenger: “Should be part of an altitude prescription” The face mask not only unlocked ExWeb stories this Everest season but could also help you summit with proper use. “I believe use of the mask is in fact most important during the early acclimatization stages for high altitude climbing,” said Eric F. Meyer, M.D (K2, 2008). Read More…
Blair Falahey Summits Kanchenjunga!
Sunday, May 29th, 2011“Summit, summit, summit…” was the subject line of ColdAvenger athlete Blair Falahey’s latest e-mail. He did it! After all of the planning and preparation, Blair succeeded in his attempt to summit Kanchenjunga on May 20, 2011. At 8586 meters, it’s the world’s third highest mountain. He took some time to e-mail us with an update from base camp before continuing on to Kathmandu.
From Blair Falahey:
It is with great pleasure and enormous pride that I am happy to report that on May 20, 2011 at 8:36am I summited Kanchenjunga. I won’t go into too much detail and promise to write a dispatch in full detail once I am back in Kathmandu and the feeling returns to my numb fingers!
I will say this. It is without a doubt not only the hardest climb I have ever done in my life, but also the hardest thing I have ever attempted. Only after a 12+ hour summit push in freezing conditions did I finally set foot on Kanch’s amazingly beautiful summit. I can’t even begin to describe the views and I promise to send photos soon. Everest was fantastic, but does not even come close to Kanch in every way.
He signed off by mentioning that he is “very depleted (physically) and looking forward to a banana lassi and tandoori chicken pizza in Kathmandu.” Safe travels and congratulations Blair!
Blair Falahey gears up to climb Kanchenjunga
Friday, April 8th, 2011Cold Avenger athlete Blair Falahey is in Nepal preparing to climb Kanchenjunga in the Himalayas. At 8586 meters, “Kanch” is the 3rd highest mountain in the world. Not only is it the 3rd highest, it’s also one of the most remote. It takes at least 2.5 weeks of trekking just to get to base camp. Because of the remoteness, difficulty and expense of organizing a trip like this, it’s one of the least climbed 8000+ mountains.
All the stars aligned for Blair to take part in this trip of a lifetime. Not only he is excited about the group he is climbing with, they will be flying into a small village just two days from base camp, skipping the required additional weeks of trekking. This will save the team’s energy for the long and possibly dangerous expedition.
Follow Blair’s updates from the mountain at www.blair8000.com
We’re thrilled to support Blair’s climb, and glad that he’s chosen to use ColdAvenger as an essential tool on the mountain. Blair uses ColdAvenger while trekking, climbing and snow camping. ColdAvenger helps him protect his lungs and airway to maximize his performance during the expedition. Getcha one here.
Weather Brings Cho Oyu Summit Attempt to an End
Wednesday, October 20th, 2010
Cold Avenger athlete Chris Klinke was hoping to summit Cho Oyu this fall. But after several attempts and delays, the weather just wasn’t going to let that happen. While the strong winds and snow were a good test on his ColdAvenger face mask, the conditions proved to be too much for a safe summit. Chris writes about this last attempt on his blog:
I wish I could say that we went up the mountain and had success in reaching the top. We did not.
We went up to camp 1 in strong winds and low temps. Found one of our tent fly’s ripped to shreds. Had a long nigh of high winds. Woke up to still more wind and moved up to camp 2. By the time I arrived I felt like my face had been to one of those fancy spas where they sand blast the outer layer of skin off your face. We found both our tents standing but definiely the worse for wear. We rested and brewed up but the the winds did not die down. We made the decision to wait it out one more night. During the next day clouds built, snow came, and our constant companion the wind stayed with us. The big issue with wind is that the ambient temperature at the summit is -25 to -30f add a 25mph wind to that and it is bitter cold and high risk of frost bite.
At about 2pm we pulled the plug on the climb and came down figuring it was not going to be our season.
On any expedition, luck and timing play a huge role. Based on my estimate there were 3-4 days that Cho Oyu was summitable. Unfortunately we were not in a position to take advantage of any of those days. The team is in great spirits knowing that we did everything we could to reach the top.
This morning we woke to 4-6 inches of snow at ABC so it helps with our decision.
Thanks for all the support…Until next time.
For more on Chris visit his blog site here.
For more on the Cold Avenger face mask click here.
ColdAvenger Expedition Balaclava Summits McKinley Again
Friday, September 18th, 2009
Congratulations to ColdAvenger customer Jim Steinshouer for his summit of Mt. McKinley in Denali this summer. And a “well done” to Jim’s wife, Ann, for buying him a ColdAvenger Expedition balaclava for his adventure. (She really did her homework, and found out that it was designed with help from world-renown mountaineer Ed Viesturs.) Jim, 51 years old, has climbed all of the highest points in the United States except Mount Borah in Idaho, which he will do next summer. When we heard Jim was headed to Denali, we also equipped him with some ColdAvenger patches and a summit flag. Great pictures!
Jim sent us a trip report, and here’s what he said about the ColdAvenger Expedition balaclava:
“I had no trouble breathing or with the cold at 20,230 feet. I felt the thickness of the material (as it relates to keeping a person warm) was appropriate and felt nice to the skin as well. The balaclava and my goggles protected my head and were very comfortable while the air was moist and warm as it came into my lungs.”
Thanks Jim, for the great feedback–and here’s to your ascent!
Stay Out Longer,
John B. Sullivan III aka: ColdAvenger Pro
Talus Athlete Ed Viesturs Once Again Ascends The World’s Tallest Mountain
Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
Ed Viesturs
Three cheers (or maybe seven?) for Talus athlete Ed Viesturs! Today, he conquered Mt. Everest for the SEVENTH time. Viesturs and members of the high-profile “dream team” of climbers in the First Ascent expedition reached the top of Mt. Everest on May 19th at 8 a.m. Nepal time. This is the seventh summit of Mt. Everest in less than twenty years for Viesturs, who is known as the first American to summit the world’s highest mountains without supplemental oxygen. (more…)
