It was a small business ,based in the Chamonix Valley & built up by a couple of French alpinists who had the creative energy, engineering know-how & passion to make quality, functional, high performance mountain equipment.
It's not much bigger now, but the passion is still there & the kit is better than ever - I've been using the new Yeti 45lit ruc-sac all winter & it's been one of the best sacks I've ever had.
I like their ethos as well - reducing the environmental impact of their products by minimising waste during the manufacturing process....................& above all concentrate on durability because they believe that the only products that don't pollute are the ones which are not produced! - but it's still light, well designed & very functional.
I also picked up a copy of 'The Art of Ice Climbing' - produced by Blue Ice press in Chamonix which came out in December - this is a must read for anyone interested in climbing Ice!
The books packed full of useful information from the birth of Icefall climbing, through to ice climbing equipment, how to place an ice screw, different ice climbing techniques, different types of ice & the effects temperature has on them, ice formations, ice strengths including many case studies to back it all up - It's a great read & well worth getting hold of a copy if you can.
Blue Ice is a company passionate about climbing!
Beyond Hope down in the Peak District have just started distributing Blue Ice here in the UK, although Beyond Hope has been around for over 20yrs & also distribute Prana, Metolius & Evolv - check out the kit at either www.beyondhope.co.uk or at www.blueice.com
It's a great brand & one that I'll be working a lot closer with in the future.
Stay safe
Ade
PS a week on a First Aid course got me even more psyched to nail the green 7C at the Fly Cave! - nailed it last night!
The sack's very distinctive with its black & red colouring & looks great with a releasable top lid, a simple ice axe fixing system that works!, no clutter, comfy, very waterproof, durable but not heavy.........it's got it all!
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