SALT LAKE CITY (October 10, 2023) — Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd., a leading manufacturer and distributor of innovative, high performance, mountain sports equipment, apparel, and footwear, welcomes six new members to its global athlete and ambassador team: Angela Hawse, Adrian Ballinger, Topo Mena, Carla Perez, Karina Carsolio and Chaehyun Seo.

“Each of these talented, diverse mountain athletes brings something exceptional to Black Diamond,” said Adam Peters, Black Diamond Equipment’s sports marketing director. “Regardless of their discipline, they consistently push the boundaries of what’s achievable in climbing and everything in between.”

Aligned with Black Diamond’s mission to be one with the sports it serves, the athlete roster is meticulously curated for specific mountain sports categories: climb, backcountry snow, and mountain running. In 2023, Black Diamond welcomes three new athletes to its Global Climbing Team, two new athletes to its Backcountry Snow Team, and one athlete to its Global Mountain Run team. This expansion brings the total number of athletes on Black Diamond’s roster to 29, spanning across all mountain disciplines.

Peters added, “Our athletes are instrumental in Black Diamond’s product development, contributing valuable insights that consistently push the boundaries of innovation in both equipment and apparel. Their passion for the mountains, active community leadership, and commitment to supporting the next generation of athletes are truly commendable. We are excited to welcome these athletes into the BD family and look forward to witnessing their future achievements.”

  • Angela Hawse, Backcountry Ambassador – ski mountaineering
    • Ridgway, Colorado
    • IFMGA Guide
    • President of the AMGA
  • Adrian Ballinger, Backcountry Athlete – ski mountaineering
    • Tahoe, California
    • IFMGA Guide
    • Owner of Alpenglow Expeditions
    • Four complete 8000-meter peak ski descents
  • Topo Mena, Climb Athlete – mountaineering
    • Quito, Ecuador
    • IFMGA Guide
    • Youngest non-Sherpa to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen or Sherpa support
    • • Co-founder of Mas Allá de una Cima (Beyond a Peak), a social project that finds socially relegated people and uses climbing to raise conversations about inclusion, decision making, and empowerment
  • Carla Perez, Climb Athlete – mountaineering
    • Quito, Ecuador
    • Guided successful summit of Everest via Northeast Ridge (2019)
    • First woman from the Americas to summit K2 without supplemental oxygen (2019)
    • First woman to summit Everest and K2 in the same year (2019)
    • Solo ascent of Cho Oyu without supplemental oxygen or Sherpa support (2014)
    • Summited Manaslu without supplemental oxygen or Sherpa support (2012)
  • Chaehyun Seo, Climb Athlete – sport climbing
    • Seoul, South Korea
    • IFSC Lead World Champion 2021
    • Asian Championship Gold Medal Bouldering and Lead 2019
    • Redpoint La Rambla 5.15a 2023
  • Karina Carsolio, Run Athlete – FKT, mountain and trail running
    • Mexico City, Mexico
    • North and Central American Sky Running Champion 2023
    • Schlegeis 3000 SKYRACE 1st Place 2023
    • Trefeo Kima 3rd Place 2022
    • Monte Rosa Sky Marathon 1stPlace 2022