Announcing the 2011 Polartec® Challenge Grant Recipients
(from L to R) Andy Vecchione (Polartec President), Janet Bergman, Tyler Bradt, Mike Libecki
Polartec is pleased to announce the recipients of its 20th annual
Polartec Challenge Grant. Four separate expeditions will receive funding
and support from Polartec to 2011: a solo climbing exploration in the
remote northern Russian Arctic, a first-time circumnavigation of
Ellesmere Island, a women’s climbing first ascent attempt in the Indian
Karakoram and a two-man first ascent attempt in the Charakusa Valley of
Pakistan.
”Polartec is proud to have supported adventures and exploration around
the globe for 20 years now,” states Global Director of Marketing, Nate
Simmons. “The 2011 Challenge Grant recipients epitomize all the trips we
have supported over the years and exemplify Polartec’s commitment to
innovation and expanding our perception of what’s possible.”
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The first Polartec Challenge Grant recipient is solo expedition specialist Mike Libecki.
Libecki, who has explored many of the last remaining corners of virgin
Earth to climb dozens of first ascents, will this time travel to a
remote and restricted corner of northern Russia above the Arctic Circle
to climb walls that have never been explored before. Libecki will be
dropped off by a Russian icebreaker and then have to ski and paddle over
50 miles of sea ice and open ocean on a homemade rig to reach his
climbing destination. The trip will be the culmination of over six years
of planning and reconnaissance. |
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The next grant recipient is the team of Jon Turk,
Tyler Bradt and Erik Boomer that will together attempt the first
complete circumnavigation of Ellesmere Island, one of the closest points
of land to the North Pole. The expedition will travel over 1,400 miles
across treacherous moving sea ice, glaciers and rocky coastline using
kayaks, skis and sleds to complete the journey. |
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The third Polartec Challenge Grant recipient is a first ascent attempt
of a 6,135-meter unnamed peak deep within the Indian Karakoram by an
all-star team of female climbers. The team consists of pro climber and Polartec Athlete Advisory Board
member Janet Bergman, Chamonix-based mountain guide Zoe Hart and
Alaskan guide Kirsten Kremer. The unnamed peak is located on the eastern
edge of the ‘Line of Control’ between India and Pakistan and the team
plans an alpine style ascent to the summit in one light, fast, free
push |
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The final grant recipient, Kelly Cordes,
actually received the award last year, but had to postpone his
expedition because of an injury. Cordes, who is also a member of
Polartec’s Athlete Advisory Board, and his climbing partner Kyle
Dempster will travel to Pakistan’s Charakusa Valley, home to massive
technical peaks including K6 and K7, along with scores of unclimbed rock
and ice objectives, to attempt the first ascent of an unnamed rock
spire. The 6,200-meter spire, near K7, has been attempted several times
and its virgin summit remains an objective that requires the rare
combination of high-end rock skills, tenacity and high-altitude
mixed-climbing. |
About the Polartec® Challenge Grant
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, Marko
Prezelj, Andrew McLean and John Shipton.
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RTEC CHALLENGE
