2012 Mugs Stump Award Opens Next Week!

Ventura, CA (September 15, 2011)— From October 1, 2011 through December 15, 2011, the 2012 Mugs Stump Award will be accepting grant applications from small climbing teams with fast and light alpine objectives. Established in 1993 to honor the late Mugs Stump, each year the Mugs Stump Award awards grants to a select number of individuals and teams whose proposed climbs present an outstanding challenge-a first ascent, significant repeat or first alpine-style ascent-with special emphasis placed on climbers leaving no trace of their passage.

Sponsored by Alpinist Magazine, Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd., Mountain Gear, Patagonia, Inc., and W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc., the Mugs Stump Award encourages men, women and teams from North America to submit their applications for a part of this year’s $25,000 in grant funding.

Mugs Stump was one of North America’s most prolific and imaginative climbers until his death in a crevasse fall in Alaska in May 1992. Best-known for his first ascent of the Emperor Face on Mount Robson in the Canadian Rockies and his triptych of brilliant Alaskan climbs-the East Face of the Moose’s Tooth, the Moonflower Buttress on Mount Hunter and a one-day solo of Denali’s Cassin Ridge-Mugs was the complete climber, adept at all forms of the game.

Climbers who share Mugs’ vision of climbing as a celebration of boldness, purity and simplicity are encouraged to apply. Past recipients include both well-known and relatively unheard-of alpinists pursuing objectives in Alaska, Patagonia, the Himalaya, the Rocky Mountains, Greenland and more. Details can be found here.

Also available is the 2012 Mugs Stump Award Calendar, proceeds from which will help support this year’s grants, available soon at mountaingear.

Further information and applications are available at www.mugsstumpaward.com. Climbs taking place between February 1, 2012 and March 1, 2013 are eligible. Applications must be submitted via email to mugs_stump_award@patagonia.com (subject line “2012 Mugs Stump Application”).

Awards will be announced by January 31, 2012.