Guide Built : First Ascent

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EBGIFTS

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Peter Whittaker and the Guide Team turned design philosophy on its ear. "What can we get rid of without compromising functionality? Bells and whistles are just extra weight. We won't carry them." That mandate became the First Ascent mantra. "Everything you need. Nothing you don't."

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Every fabric and feature, every seam and stitch is there by the guides' design. And pushed by them to the limits. For good reason. "Our clothes are our life support."

Our six guides have proven themselves in the harshest environments in the world. Repeatedly. And they bring their expertise to every piece of First Ascent gear. Read a little of their stories here.

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To give you such outstanding quality, value, service and guarantee that we may be worthy of your high esteem.^®

Every item we sell will give you complete satisfaction or you may return it for a full refund.^®

FIRST ASCENT EXPEDITION OUTFITTING: Men: Baselayer, Insulation, Outerwear, Pants, Accessories; Women: Baselayer, Insulation, Outerwear, Pants, Accessories; Gear & Equipment: Packs, Watches, Knives and Tools

GUIDE-BUILT BY OUR GUIDE TEAM: Peter Whittaker; Ed Viesturs; Dave Hahn; Melissa Arnot; Seth Waterfall; Chad Peele; Why First Ascent Gear is a First
Building the Line

EXPEDITIONS: Everest; Aconcagua; Cotopaxi; 55 Years of Expedition Heritage

BLOG: Born Out There Blog; Expedition Dispatches

PARTNERS

CUSTOMER SERVICE: Sign Up for Email; Catalog Sign Up; Your Account; Order Status; Customer Service

Welcome to the website for First Ascent, a line of mountaineering clothing, accessories and outdoor gear created by Eddie Bauer, Whittaker Mountaineering and Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. (RMI). First Ascent makes hardshells (hard shells), softshells (soft shells), mountaineering jackets, ski jackets, rain jackets, climbing pants, ski pants, fleece jackets, PrimaLoft jackets, PrimaLoft pants, down jackets and down suits for men and women. We also manufacture and sell Paradise baselayers (base layers), Paradise underwear, merino baselayers (base layers), merino underwear, gloves, hats, buffs and socks. Our gear includes packs, backpacks, duffels, tents and knives. Our online store (www.firstascent.com), select Eddie Bauer retail stores and Whittaker Mountaineering offer men's outdoor clothing and women's outdoor clothing that includes outerwear, insulating layers, baselayers (base layers), shells, waterproof jackets, waterproof pants, vests and windproof fleece for a wide range of outdoor sports including mountaineering, climbing, hiking, skiing, snowboarding and mountain biking. A fundamental part of First Ascent is that we are Guide Built: Our First Ascent Guide Team of Peter Whittaker, Ed Viesturs, Dave Hahn, Melissa Arnot, Chad Peele and Seth Waterfall led the design, development and testing of every piece in the line. They also continue to lead expeditions all over the world, including our Return To Everest expedition this spring. We invite you to follow them through our First Ascent blog, Born Out There, for updates from the highest peaks on every continent. We also invite you to subscribe to the First Ascent catalog and First Ascent emails to get the latest word on our new offerings. We realize there are many routes up and down the mountain, so when people come looking for First Ascent, they might spell it in a variety of creative, challenging and hopefully triumphant ways, including 1st Ascent, 1st Assent, First Assent, 1st Acent, First Acent, 1st Accent, First Accent, 1st Asent, First Asent. Thank you for visiting First Ascent.

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