Mammut is receiving honors from the American Alpine Institute with three Guides' Choice Awards for 2004. Mammut's soft shell Champ Pant and New Age jacket were recognized as gear that “embodies excellence in performance and durability”, as was the Infinity 9.5 mm Superdry rope. Mammut products earned three of only twelve products given the 2004 Guides Choice designation.
Guides Choice Awards culminate from field tests conducted by a core group of AAI professionals guiding in varied and extreme alpine climates throughout the world's mountain ranges, year-round. The Institute states that “their comfort and, not uncommonly, their lives depend on the gear they choose to employ,” adding that because of the intensity and constancy of use, the wear and stress that gear receives during testing corresponds to multiple years of use by a recreational climber or outdoor enthusiast. The American Alpine Institute has no financial ties or interests in any manufacturer or distributor.
“We're very appreciative that a core group of professional guides such as the AAI testers are recognizing the quality and performance of both our alpine apparel and gear,” said Jeff Cunningham, marketing director for Mammut's USA distributor, Climb High. “When a group like that comes forward with a preference for Mammut, it underscores the value of our soft shell technologies, our alpine heritage, and our long-standing reputation for quality in rope manufacturing. It really speaks volumes on our behalf and lends credibility to what we know is an outstanding product line. We're quite happy with this affirmation, as well as with the fact that our line-up is enhancing the experience of guides and mountaineers the world over.”
