Windstopper Challenge Reveals Gnarliest Dealers...

Ever wondered just how gnarly the guys and girls behind the counter in your local outdoor shop actually are?

Seems like the follk at Gore UK asked the same question. Last week they dragged a bunch of them away from their cash registers, took them down to Plas y Brenin at Snowdonia and unleashed them on a two-day assault on the Welsh 3000s.

The whole things was done under the slim pretence of testing a new WINDSTOPPER Guide jacket from Mountain Equipment - it has an inner wicking layer that transports moisture away from the skin a WINDSTOPPER membrane that has the same breathability as GORE-TEX XCR and a tough fleece outer they say - and the brand new air permeable Gore-Tex bivvy bags from Outdoor Designs.

The new bivvy fabric is reckoned to be breathable enough to allow total sealing of the bag in poor weather without asphyxiating the user - always a plus point in our book - and general comments on both the bags and the jackets were reportedly favourable.

What you're wondering, of course, is who came out on top... Well, just one of the 15 two-man teams taking part in the Windstopper Challenge completed all 14 peaks and they were Tevor Suddaby and Alan Swann from Needle Sports in Keswick. We reckon the rest of them were too comfy in their nice warm bivvy bags... Congratulations to Trevor and Alan.

Gore's Jonathan Burnell was particularly impressed by the high standard of marshalling and general organisation from the staff at Plas Y Brenin:

'"Gore recently renewed sponsorship arrangements with Plas Y Brenin and we have been impressed with everyone at Plas Y Brenin for their thoroughly professional approach ... Thanks to them for a great job well done."

Gore web site

Plas Y Brenin web site