First South African woman to conquer all 7 summits
22 May 2010 - Amanda Ramsden has summited Everest, making her the first South African to climb all 7 summits.

Ramsden is part of a team led by veteran New Zealand guide Mike Roberts and organised by Adventure Consultants that are climbing from Everest’s south side.

Mandy has already conquered Aconcagua in South America, Carstensz Pyramid in Oceania, Elbrus in Europe, Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Denali in North America, Vinson Massif in Antartica and now the biggest of them all, Mount Everest.

Congratulations on your achievement.

MSR & La Sportiva equipment aid in the capturing and collaring of Cape Leopards.

This beautiful leopardess, named Lizzy, was collared as part of the Cape Leopard Trust conservation project. Outward Ventures supports the project and our equipment, the MSR flysheet and La Sportiva Boots, can be seen in the photo's.

The Cape Leopard Trust aims to optimally facilitate conservation of the Cape's predator diversity through simultaneously implementing conservation strategies, research projects and tourism initiatives.

To view more information on the Cape Leopard Trust, adopt a leopard or sponsor the project please visit http://www.capeleopard.org.za

South African assault on the Polish Glacier Direct Route
Outward Ventures have sponsored Andrew Raubenheimer with a pair of La Sportiva Spantik double plastic boots to help him conquer the Route.

The Polish Glacier Direct Route, one of the more technical routes on Aconcagua, was opened in 1934 by a team of Polish mountaineers.

The route, which involves a long, icy glacier ascent requiring full ice climbing gear, is known worldwide for its natural beauty and enormous landscapes. It has become in one of the classic routes for sportive enthusiasts.

Very few, if any, South Africans have climbed or even seen this route. Our research has led us to believe that to date there have been no successful South African summits via this route.

February 2009 will see South Africans Andrew Raubenheimer and Dobek Pater attempt the ‘Sentinal of Stone’ via the Polish Glacier Direct Route.

Some of the summit day equipment load will, in addition to rope, harnesses, helmet and slings, consist of ice screws, locking carabiners, cordelettes, nuts, spring loaded camming devices, daisy chains and belay devices. The usual belt of heavy metal that non-mountaineers find strange.

www.aconcagua09.za.net

Historic MSR Pump eventually retires after 20 - 30 years of service

A trusty MSR yellow fuel pump eventually retired after a long and hard career in South Africa. The yellow pumps were manufactured from the late 70's to early 80's, the first grey pumps were introduced in 1985.

The pump was returned back to MSR where it will live out it's retirement in the archives. A new recruit was sent to the customer to serve in it's place.