As the start of summer rolled around, we took 5 with our NZ ambassador Andrew Bridgman.
Mammut has a rich heritage in the mountains. What’s your heritage/background?
I was born in Australia and grew up beachside, a far cry from the mountains. My first exposure to rock climbing was at Cliffhanger Climbing Gym, Altona Vic at age 12. I saw snow for the first time at 14 years old and the seed was planted. After finishing school the adventure really started, first river guiding and then the focus shifted to the mountains. After living in Canada, Switzerland and Norway I now reside in New Zealand. I am a member of the New Zealand Mountain Guide Association, holding an assistant ski guide qualification. In winter, I am a ski patroller at The Remarkables in Queenstown as well as working for Aspiring Guides in Wanaka, providing avalanche education and ski touring / ski mountaineering services. During the summer months I work as a Search and Rescue Ranger for the Department of Conservation in Aoraki / Mt Cook.
Mammut products are tested in the most extreme locations. Where’s the most extreme location you’ve ever tested your Mammut gear?
The New Zealand mountains. Rainforest approaches on the west coast, the unrelenting summer sun and the coarse Fiordland rock, Mammut gear has stood up to everything NZ has thrown at it.
Mammut is known for quality and innovation. What’s your favorite piece of Mammut equipment?
My Barryvox S avalanche transceiver - the super computer that is my lifeline and the lifeline to others.
What’s your favorite aspect of Mammut’s Climate Response?
It's too difficult to choose one from the list.
From 100% recycled and recyclable packaging to their partnership with bluesign® for cleaner manufacturing processes, Mammut acknowledges their responsibility to respond to the climate crisis. I would encourage everyone who reads this to head to https://www.mammut.com/uk/en/responsibility and have a read through Mammut’s initiatives. Have the confidence that you are supporting a company that cares.
What is an important lesson you’ve learnt in the last few years?
Sometimes things aren't going to work out the way you thought they would.
Final words of wisdom?
You will have your time. Whatever is holding you back from getting out into the hills be ok with it, share your excitement with friends when they get back from a trip, you will be out there with them again and it will be epic!
