mike parsons
50 years as an outdoor gear and garment maker and innovator.Karrimor, 1966-96, KIMM until 2002, founder of OMM - ORIGINAL MOUNTAIN MARATHON 2003....the forerunner of all adventure racing.
(Karrimor was successively a licensee of Sympatex 76-90, Gore-Tex 1990-96, Polartec, and Pertex.
Supplier of packs and box tents to the key expeditions led by Sir Chris Bonington; Annapurna S. Face 1970, Everest the hard way, 1975, Kongur China 1978 and 'The Ogre'.
I innovated in close collaboration with many leading mountaineers, Joe Brown, Don Whillans, Dougal Haston, Ken Ledward, Peter Boardman, Graham Tiso, Alex McIntyre, John Brailsford, Pat Littlejohn, Roger Mear, to name a few.
I am leading expert in the history and innovation of climbing and outdoor gear, clothing and footwear. See publications co-authored with Prof. Mary B. Rose.
Co-author of 'Invisible on Everest, innovation and the gear makers '
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Invisible-Everest-Innovation-GearMakers/dp/0970414358/
and
Keeping Dry and Staying Warm. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Keeping-Dry-Staying-Warm-Part/dp/1916283004/
BMC Lakes area chair, 2003-2025.
Honorary fellow in the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development, Lancaster University Management School, 2010-Innovator in Residence.
Adventure through 52 countries and all 7 continents. Activities:- Rock, ice, climb, ski tour alpine and nordic, bike, run, kayak, horse riding, dog sledding.
Member of Alpine Club, Eagle Ski Club, ABMSAC (Brit members of Swiss AC) former chair George Starkey Hut Ltd, Patterdale.
My key expeditions;
1984 5th ascent of Chulu, Nepal with John Cleare.
1997 Denali ascent with John Barry.
1980 East Greenland, (11 virgin summits.)
1994 Anglo-Soviet Expedition to Kyrgyzstan (8 virgin summits),
Antarctica, ascent of Mt Vinson with Roger Mear and Doug Scott.
Peru and Patagonia with John Cleare, several ascents and journeys.
TGO-Challenge, Scotland, 9 crossings, backpacking.
Location
Patterdale, Penrith
Recent Postings
- No posts in last 30 days
Personal Webpage
https://www.outdoorgearcoach.co.uk/