In 1955 Joe Brown and George Band made history as the first confirmed Britons to climb an 8,000m peak when they stood just below the summit of Kangchenjunga, the worlds third highest peak at 8586m, on the 25th May.

70 Years later we are delighted to join with Suunto, UKClimbing and UKHillwalking to offer a fantastic competition to celebrate Joe and the Kangchenjunga team's achievement - which was a lot more than just getting to the summit! Here's your chance to win:

• A Suunto watch of your choice
• 2 x Rockfax Digital Subsciptions
• 1 x Snowdonia Scramble Guide
• 2 x Joe Brown & The Climbers Shop £70 vouchers

Kangchenjunga 1955 was an incredible expedition that cemented friendships, promoted respect for the local people and their beliefs, challenged class distinctions of the time and was the first to apply technical rock climbing skills above 8000m. 

Not bad for what was supposed to be a reconnaissance expedition!

The Comp:

To celebrate the teams success, claim your limited edition cloth patch and be in with the chance of winning your choice of Suunto Watch, we are challenging you to ascend 8586m.

It's a lot of height - but don't worry - you can choose whether you walk, run or climb and there's plenty of time to complete it as the competition is open from 25th May to 31st August.

That's just 87.6m a day, 613m per week or 2453m per month……

How to enter:

• Sign up to our Strava Club here (free)
• Walk, Run, or climb the height of Kangchenjunga 8586m (28,169ft) from 25th May to 31st August
• Complete the form to claim your free commemorative embroidered badge
• Complete the above and then log into UKClimbing or UKHillwalking (free)
• Upload an image of your celebratory image. The more creative the better with extra kudos for honouring the original expedition members and/or including Kangchenjunga or the height in an imaginative way!
• We will choose a winner from the gallery images uploaded onto UKClimbing and UKHillwalking during the applicable entry period based on the following criteria:
  • the more creative the better: maybe you are in a flat cap, 1950's mountaineering dress or kit, sporting a pair of Dachstein mitts (yep, we still sell them)
  • or recreating one of the expedition images we have shared across our social media platforms as part of the celebrations
  • If you can get in the number 8586, and /or the Joe Brown logo, all the better!
• The winner will be announced on UKClimbing and UKHillwalking and also contacted via e-mail to arrange collection or postage of their prize.

No purchase necessary. Must be 18 years or older to enter. UK residents only. This competition is not open to employees of Hooked On Granite Ltd, UK Climbing, UK Hillwalking or Suunto. The organizer reserves the right to revise the contest period at any time without prior notification. All entries received outside of the stated period will be disqualified. Giveaway will close at 11.59pm 31st August 2025 (GMT) Winners announced 2nd September 2025

Good Luck!