On March 18, the renowned professional outdoor brand Ozark held a “Customized Equipment Handover Ceremony for Tibet Mountaineering School” in Beijing under the theme “Millions of Hearts United – Supporting the Dream of Climbing.”
In 1999, with the support of Ozark, Tibet Mountaineering School was successfully established. Thanks to Ozark’s support and assistance, the school has trained batches of Chinese alpine guides and high-altitude service personnel with cultural literacy, professional skills, and a sense of service. This has driven economic development in the Tibet region and advanced the progress of China’s mountaineering industry. Over the years, Ozark has never ceased its efforts to support not only Tibet Mountaineering School but also the development of outdoor sports in China. At the March 18 customized equipment handover ceremony, Ozark once again demonstrated its comprehensive support for Tibet Mountaineering School through concrete actions, witnessing the “Millions of Hearts United” moment alongside the attending guests.
At the event, Mr. Hans, the Swiss founder of the Ozark brand, shared his personal story with Ozark and stated, “The Ozark brand’s passion for mountaineering and the philosophy of living in harmony with nature have always been at the core of our brand.” Subsequently, Mr. Li Zhixin, Director of the National Mountaineering Sports Management Center, and Mr. Tsering Sangzhu, Executive Vice President of Tibet Mountaineering School, also delivered speeches, expressing gratitude and high praise for Ozark’s efforts and achievements in the development of Tibet Mountaineering School and the growth of China’s mountaineering cause.
Mr. Hans delivering a speech at the handover ceremony
As an outstanding professional outdoor brand, Ozark provides outdoor enthusiasts with a comfortable user experience through scientific design and offers mountaineers and explorers reliable safety assurance with its excellent products, which is why it has long been favored by outdoor sports enthusiasts. The alpine gear sponsored by Ozark this time is worth several million yuan and was specially customized for Tibet Mountaineering School. Ozark’s Brand Product Design Director, Mr. Joe Shaoen, also gave a detailed explanation on-site about the design and technical highlights of the sponsored alpine gear through a model showcase.
The base camp exhibition area at the handover ceremony
Mr. Joe Shaoen, Brand Product Design Director of Ozark, displays and introduces the “Windstopper Alpine Windproof Integrated Down Suit”
As the guests’ hammers smashed into an ice sculpture shaped like a snow mountain, an ice axe symbolizing the several million yuan worth of professionally customized alpine gear that Ozark specially made for Tibet Mountaineering School was retrieved and handed over by Mr. Hans, the brand’s founder, to Mr. Tsering Sangzhu, Vice President of Tibet Mountaineering School. This marked the official handover of the sponsored alpine gear from Ozark to Tibet Mountaineering School and conveyed Ozark’s beautiful vision of “Millions of Hearts United, Supporting the Dream of Climbing.” The ice axe, as an important element of the Ozark brand logo, further symbolizes Ozark’s ongoing efforts to support Tibet Mountaineering School and contribute to China’s mountaineering cause.
Mr. Hans, Mr. Tsering Sangzhu, and Mr. Li Zhixin are breaking open the snow mountain-shaped ice sculpture
Mr. Hans, Founder of Ozark, hands over the ice axe symbolizing the sponsored equipment to Mr. Tsering Sangzhu, Executive Vice President of Tibet Mountaineering School
Mr. Tsering Sangzhu displays the ice axe representing the sponsored equipment
In recent years, with the growing popularity of outdoor sports, especially mountaineering, more people are willing to venture into nature and challenge themselves through climbing. Meanwhile, Ozark has been sparing no effort to contribute to China’s mountaineering cause, continuously working hand-in-hand with Tibet Mountaineering School to support and assist China’s climbing talent, leaving the pinnacle mark of Ozark’s brand development in the progress of China’s mountaineering endeavors.
[Background Introduction]
The Story of the Ozark Brand
Ozark represents the purest spirit of the outdoors. The brand’s passion for outdoor sports and its philosophy of harmonious coexistence with nature stem from the pristine beauty of mountains.
Swiss outdoor enthusiast Hans Schallenberger founded the Ozark brand in 1996 and immediately began supporting high-altitude climbing expeditions in China. Today, Ozark’s footprint spans the globe—from the 90°S South Pole to the 8848m summit of Mount Everest. Ozark outdoor gear has accompanied explorers through various harsh environments and witnessed countless successful moments.
With a love for outdoor sports and a commitment to superior quality, Ozark applies its extensive experience in climbing and exploration to outdoor products. It has designed and developed four major series comprising over 300 types of outdoor gear, meeting the demands of extreme environments and suitable for all kinds of outdoor activities. The brand’s continuous pursuit of high quality and deep understanding of the outdoors keep Ozark innovative, allowing more people to discover and enjoy the joy of outdoor sports.
Ozark has consistently worked to promote the sustainable development of outdoor sports. The establishment of Tibet Mountaineering School and the CMDI China Advanced Mountaineering Training Program has integrated cutting-edge global concepts into China’s climbing movement, driving continuous progress. The “Snow Mountain Guardian Program,” launched in 2012, reflects Ozark’s commitment to preserving mountain resources and outdoor safety, as well as its confidence in long-term brand development.
No matter how times change, humanity’s longing for the natural world remains constant. We firmly believe in this philosophy—all users of Ozark products are our partners. We will continue to provide the best equipment for those who love exploration and are passionate about nature.
Ozark and China’s Mountaineering Cause
And the Tibet High-Altitude Rescue Team
The Tibet Autonomous Region High-Altitude Rescue Team was established on August 28, 2011. It is a professional high-altitude rescue team formed by the Tibet Mountaineering Team, Tibet Mountaineering School, and Shengshan Expedition Company. It is also Tibet’s first professional high-altitude rescue team, marking the end of China’s history without an official professional mountaineering rescue system.
In 2012, the Ozark brand collaborated with the Tibet High-Altitude Rescue Team to successfully organize the “Snow Mountain Guardian Program.” This is a long-term initiative proposed by Ozark aimed at promoting safe and environmentally friendly mountaineering, advocating the most fundamental mountaineering spirit, protecting climbers, popularizing outdoor adventure knowledge, and spreading correct outdoor exploration concepts.
And Tibet Mountaineering School
In 1998, Mr. Hans, the founder of the Ozark brand, hiked around Cho Oyu in Tibet and reached a consensus with Nyima Tsering. In 1999, Ozark and the Tibet Mountaineering Association jointly established Tibet Mountaineering School, with Nyima Tsering serving as the principal.
Tibet Mountaineering School is China’s first professional mountaineering talent training school. In 2002, it was listed as one of the nation’s 117 key projects in support of Tibet. In 2004, it was officially approved by the General Administration of Sport of China as a China Mountaineering Training Base.
The Ozark brand has long customized mountaineering clothing and equipment for students, facilitated connections and cooperation agreements with the École Nationale de Ski et d’Alpinisme in Chamonix, France, invited French climbing coaches to give lectures, and sent outstanding students to France for training every year. It has made tremendous contributions to the development of Tibet Mountaineering School.
The future goal of Tibet Mountaineering School is to become an international mountaineering school that promotes Himalayan-style climbing techniques.
Product Introduction of Customized Alpine Gear by Osprey
The customized alpine gear sponsored this time for the Tibet Mountaineering School is mainly divided into four categories: thermal insulation, waterproofing, windproofing, and basic wear.
(Note: This segment appears to be a placeholder or non-translatable symbol – "consumption") Thermal Insulation: Windstopper alpine windproof integrated down suit, Windstopper windproof tricot-lined down jacket, Windstopper windproof down pants, ultra-light down jacket
(Note: This segment appears to be a placeholder or non-translatable symbol – "consumption") Waterproofing: GORE-TEX Pro waterproof and breathable welded jacket, GORE-TEX Pro waterproof and breathable welded pants
(Note: This segment appears to be a placeholder or non-translatable symbol – "consumption") Windproofing: Windstopper Softshell windproof jacket, Windstopper Softshell windproof pants
(Note: This segment appears to be a placeholder or non-translatable symbol – "consumption") Basic Wear: Polartec thermal fleece top and pants, Merino wool T-shirts, Merino silk-wool base layers
The Osprey brand customized this batch of sponsored gear based on two main considerations:
First, from an environmental perspective. Professional alpine climbers face threats primarily from unpredictable gales, sudden blizzards, and temperatures that know no bottom. To meet these natural challenges, climbers naturally require gear that offers high levels of thermal insulation, windproofing, and waterproofing. Of course, key performance metrics such as quick-drying capabilities and temperature regulation in the inner base layers are also critically important. More importantly, considering the unique needs of the users: Tibet is rich in mountaineering resources, and the Tibetan mountaineers being sponsored not only have to ensure their own safety but often also take on the roles of guides and team leaders for entire expeditions, and even high-altitude rescue missions under special circumstances. Therefore, Osprey has made special design and craftsmanship arrangements to meet their specific clothing requirements, which are mainly reflected in:
Color: The sponsored jackets, pants, and integrated down suits use bright red as the main color paired with vivid yellow. This not only reflects a color scheme with Chinese characteristics but also stands out vividly against the clear blue sky, ice-blue icefalls, and snow-covered landscapes that shimmer in the sunlight in extreme alpine environments — making them the most easily identifiable colors for team members. Meanwhile, Windstopper down jackets and fleece garments use blue and green as the primary colors — the combination of blue and green helps alleviate psychological issues that climbers may experience during expeditions or at base camps due to monotony, aiding athletes in maintaining optimal mental states to achieve their goals smoothly.
Materials: In response to the special work requirements faced by Tibetan mountaineers, Osprey has also made corresponding adjustments to specific parts of various types of garments, such as:
1) Reflective materials of different shapes have been added to the front of the sleeves and the back of the hood of the integrated suit, to help identify the direction of movement in low-light environments.
2) Abrasion-resistant fabrics have been added to key areas such as the hips and knees of down jackets and pants, to protect against scratches and tears that may occur during high-altitude collaboration or rescue operations, ensuring personnel safety.
3) An information window has been installed on the right arm of the integrated suit, allowing mountaineers to convey messages effectively when verbal communication is difficult, helping prevent dangerous situations caused by misunderstandings.
Among the equipment sponsored by Osprey this time, “Body Mapping” is also a highlight of the design. As the name suggests, “Body Mapping” involves comprehensive consideration during the garment design phase of the varying requirements for warmth and comfort across different parts of the human body during climbing. Through full evaluation and thoughtful consideration of fabric, structural craftsmanship, and insulating materials — and ultimately through continuous testing — the goal is to achieve the best possible match between the garment and the wearer’s needs. This is the true essence of “Body Mapping.” The design and manufacturing craftsmanship of the Windstopper alpine windproof integrated down suit among the sponsored items is the best embodiment of the “Body Mapping” concept. Different amounts of high-quality goose down are filled in various parts of the body, and breathable zippers are placed in key areas, fundamentally achieving a balance between warmth and temperature control. This ensures that climbers can maintain their core body temperature in extremely cold, high-altitude environments, while also allowing timely adjustment of the internal environment to avoid unnecessary sweat-induced heat loss during climbs — and the potential dangers that may result.