John Dunne Joins Mountain Equipment

Yorkshire climber John Dunne, one of the world's best traditional climbers and an inspiration to non-stick insect rock jocks everywhere has signed a three-year deal with Manchester-based Mountain Equipment.

After a four-year association with Karrimor, including appearances in the notorious and brilliant 'Phone In Sick' ad campaign, Dunne, apparently felt that it was time for a change of scene. On his new role with ME, as well as continuining his professional climbing career, he'll be involved in product design, development and marketing for both mountaineering and climbing equipment.

John helped launch ME's 'casual' rockwear brand 'Stonewear' back in 1995 and was also supported by the company with technical down equipment on trips to the Alps and to Bhagarathi 3 in 1997 and comments:

"I am pleased to be back working with a company that makes some of the best technical mountaineering equipment in the world. I have a great relationship with the team at ME having worked with them many times over the years. "

ME's Andrew Denton added: "I'm really pleased to have John back on board - we have an excellent relationship with Scarpa, Johns footwear sponsor, and we welcome the opportunity to tie these links tighter too."

Dunne was the first climber to put up an E10 route in 1995 and has consistently climbed serious and committing - read 'bloody scary' - traditional rock routes in the UK and abroad and is debatably the best trad UK climber around, though there has been a certain amount of bitching over his grading.

He's also a refreshing change from standard issue, stick insect-style rock climbers being a big, burly and immensely strong Yorkshireman, though his smooth climbing style belies his physical appearance. He's not that big though, ME's Jen Dargue tells us that John only takes a standard large in clothing...

www.johndunneclimbing.com - John's personal site.

www.mountain-equipment.co.uk - full product details from ME.