Black Diamond Equipment announced the winners of the
Mugs Stump Award for 2004. Given annually to climbers attempting alpine climbing objectives that exemplify fast, light and clean tactics, the awards are a tribute to the late Mugs Stump, one of North America's most prolific
and visionary climbers, who died in a crevasse fall in Alaska in May 1992.
Sponsored by Mountain Gear, Patagonia, W.L. Gore and Associates, Inc. and
Black Diamond Equipment Ltd., the Mugs Stump Award Winners for 2004 are:
- Krzsztof Belczynski and Martin Tomaszewski for their expedition to Meru
Central¹s Shark's Fin (6310 meters) - David Anderson and Steve Herlihy for
their trip to the unexplored Avellano Towers, Patagonia - Chris Geisler,
Scott Withers and David Edgar's expedition to the unclimbed North Ridge of
Shingu Charpu in the Nangma Valley, Pakistan - Kevin Mahoney and Ben Gilmore
for a new free line on the East Face of the Moose's Tooth, Alaska - Ben
Sarnquist and Sean Cooney's attempt on a mixed line on the East Face of
Mount Dan Beard, Alaska.
“Mugs approached climbing as a celebration of boldness, purity and
simplicity,” says Michael Kennedy, one of the founders of the award, “This
year¹s teams embody the same spirit and vision that fueled Mug¹s dreams.”
The Mugs Stump Award helps fund small teams tackling difficult climbs in the
great mountains of the world. For 2004, a total of $12,000 was awarded to
the five expeditions all of which are encouraged to leave no trace of their
passage. For more information on the Mugs Stump Award visit
www.patagonia.com/sports/mugsstump.shtml or www.bdel.com/bd/m_stump.html.
Applications due December 31 each year with the awards announced in
February.
