Kyle Dempster Wins Golden Piton Award Twice in Four Years
Outdoor Research Sponsored Athlete Successfully Opens New Route on South Face of Ogre Peak, Pakistan.
Seattle, Washington. (April 9, 2013) Despite being a two-time Golden Piton Award winner, Kyle Dempster has managed to stay remarkably humble about his demanding high-end climbs around the world over the past few years.
When asked by a customer at his coffee shop in Salt Lake City last year if he was a professional climber, Dempster replied from behind the counter that yes, he was—because he did in fact secure outside funding for his climbing expeditions, making him a pro by that definition.
OR-sponsored athlete Dempster and his climbing partner Hayden Kennedy were jointly awarded the 2013 Golden Piton Award for their ascent of Ogre Peak, a mountain that had only seen three recorded ascents since its first climb in 1977. Dempster also claimed the award in 2012 for his first ascent of the north face of the western peak of Snow Lotus Peak at 6,422 meters.
Dempster and Kennedy established the third route on 7,285-meter Peak, the first-ever line on its south face. The route involved traversing a steep scree slope before tackling a challenging mixed section.
The year 2013 was a unique one in the history of the Golden Piton Award. For the first time, the jury chaired by British mountaineer Stephen Venables awarded six teams, recognizing what they described as an exceptional level of global climbing achievement over the past year.
About Outdoor Research
Outdoor Research designs for adventure. Founded in Seattle in 1981 with the launch of our first product, the X-Gaiter insulated gaiter, we have been dedicated to creating better outdoor apparel, gloves, hats, and a wide range of other gear. We provide innovation and inspiration to relentless explorers, crafting products that are innovative, functional, and reliable—simple and effective. We invite all who share our passion for the outdoors to join our community. We welcome our customers, athlete ambassadors, and international guiding federation partners to be part of our expedition team, where we listen to, respect, and encourage one another. We are independently minded, prioritizing our customers’ needs over shareholder demands, and continuously strive to deliver the best solutions. In support of our love for the outdoors, we back reputable nonprofit organizations dedicated to environmental conservation, education, and more. Our core sports include climbing, rock and ice climbing, hiking, backpacking, boating, trail running, and backcountry and sidecountry skiing. We keep growing, learning, and improving—and we enjoy every moment of it.
