Mugs Stump Award Expands for 2008

August 20, 2007, Carbondale, Colorado - Great news for the climbing community. In 2008 the total grant money for the Mugs Stump Award will increase to $30,000 from the current level of $12,000. The extra funds are a result of the addition of PrimaLoft as a sponsor and larger contributions from existing sponsors Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd., Climbing Magazine, Mountain Gear, Patagonia, Inc., and W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Created in 1992 in memory of Mugs Stump, one of North America’s most visionary climbers, the award will now allow even more teams achieve their dreams of fast, lightweight, leave-no-trace ascents in the world’s high places. To accommodate the new expansion the deadline for applications has been moved up to December 1, 2007.

All grants awarded embody the spirit of the late Mugs Stump, best known for his first ascent of the Emperor Face on Mount Robson in the Canadian Rockies and a triptych of brilliant Alaskan climbs – the East Face of the Moose's Tooth, the Moonflower Buttress on Mount Hunter, and a one-day solo of Denali's Cassin Ridge. Mugs saw climbing as a celebration of boldness, purity, and simplicity, and sought out striking and highly technical objectives, preferably first ascents, in some of the most remote mountains of the world.

The Mugs Stump Award was founded in 1993, and over the past 15 years has given out grants totaling $187,000 to over 70 climbing teams. Sponsors are Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd., Climbing Magazine, Mountain Gear, Patagonia, Inc., PrimaLoft, and W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Winning applications further the legacy of Mugs Stump and propose objectives in the spirit of adventure and exploration, emphasizing light, fast, leave-no-trace climbing. Award applicants are evaluated on the significance of their objective, the strength of their team, and whether their objective redefines possibilities in alpinism today. For more information on the award, past trip reports, and applications, visit www.mugsstumpaward.com. Teams and individuals from North America and climbs taking place between March 1, 2008 and February 28, 2009 are eligible. Applications are due by December 1.

Contact: Michael Kennedy, 970-309-4651, mkennedy@sopris.net

-from a press release by Backbone Media