Sport Hansa LLC, an importer and distributor of niche European outdoor brands and product lines, announced its Montane U.S. Speaker Series featuring world famous British mountaineer and award winning author, Andy Kirkpatrick. Created to support of independent specialty dealers and to engage with consumers, the MONTANE Forum makes three stops on its inaugural U.S. tour:
• Sept. 26 – 6pm – Fountain Square Outfitters – Glens Falls, N.Y.
• Sept. 27 – 7 pm – Rock & Snow – New Paltz, N.Y.
• Sept. 30 – 5:30 pm – Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus – Grand Rapids, Mich.
Not your average rock climbing slideshow, Kirkpatrick is one of the most sought after international speakers and writers on the circuit. He has appeared on Ted Talks, contributes to Climbing Magazine and his book “Psychovertical” won the Boardman Tasker Award for mountain literature.
“Andy has a gift for relating to audiences in a way that is accessible to both seasoned climbers and non-climbers alike,” said the tour promotions. “His vivid depictions and total embodiment of the climbing lifestyle allows audiences to experience the risk, tension and exhilaration of big wall climbing close at hand.
Using film, slides, music and unscripted humor, Kirkpatrick will share his experiences tackling some of the hardest climbs in the world, ranging from the French Alps and Norway to Patagonia and Antarctica. Topics include teams under pressure, risk management, mental robustness and getting stuff done against the odds. Just in time for peak climbing season, MONTANE will debut its Fall 2014 apparel and outerwear collection, plus swag, raffles, refreshments and a free athlete poster signing with Kirkpatrick.
“I talk to all over the world and I’m lucky enough to be seen as one of the best mountain speakers at the moment,” notes Kirkpatrick. “The reason for this is I don’t talk about climbing! I’m interested in sharing the human elements of my adventures, both my own and my partners. All I can say is some people cry, most go away with a lot of ideas, and everyone laughs!”
