Mountain Hardwear

United in Yosemite is a project of the American Alpine Club and Yosemite Conservancy, and is hosted by Yosemite National Park. The American Alpine Club is one of Mountain Hardwear's nonprofit community impact partners. This year, two Mountain Hardwear athletes Genevive Walker and Caleb Robinson, attended the festival and led clinics. Three Mountain Hardwear employees supported the in-person event - Kathryn Luna (Brand Marketing), Cindy Shi (Equipment Designer), and Diane Payes (Employee Experience). In Yosemite, it’s the big walls that should be intimidating. Not the community. United in Yosemite is not just a climbing festival. It is a celebration of the growing affinity spaces in climbing across the globe. It is a place to connect to climbers of all genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and cultural/ethnic backgrounds. It is a space elevating the voices of athletes and teachers from historically marginalized backgrounds who are excited to teach in community. #LifeatCSC

Mountain Hardwear’s very own Charlie Ranahan, Product Line Manager (Equipment), put our product to the test during his first-time conquering Mt Shasta in Northern California. Six months ago, Charlie felt compelled to challenge himself and achieve something that at first thought to anyone could be too difficult or not for them. This desire, paired with the influence of fellow employees/avid climbers – particularly Mike Parker, Sr. Director of Finance – ignited a spark of inspiration in Charlie. When Mike presented Charlie with an open invitation to his next climb at Mt. Shasta, he went all in. Charlie began to plan and train for the journey. His initial, entertaining Google search for 'how to climb a mountain' quickly turned into serious training with the guidance of Mike and the Shasta Mountain Guides. He committed to intensive workouts, focusing on strength and endurance, training 5-6 days a week for three months. Recognizing that this trip was as much about personal growth as it was about professional research as a Product Line Manager, Charlie explored how CSC could support this developmental opportunity. He was pleased to discover programs within CSC that made the experience more financially accessible. On the day of the climb, Charlie faced both physical and mental challenges as he ascended the mountain with Mike. Despite the unpredictable weather and the strenuous climb, Charlie's determination, thoughts of his supportive loved ones, and self-encouragement through song propelled him to the summit. Upon reaching the top, he experienced a rush of emotions—relief, gratitude, and sheer joy. He was so elated, relating his feelings to a 'sugared-out school kid on Halloween,' full of energy and excitement. However, his guide reminded him to conserve his energy for the descent." As a family of brands, we’re excited to celebrate Charlie’s remarkable accomplishment of scaling Mt. Shasta as a first-time climber. This achievement, both personal and professional, highlights the understanding of how Mountain Hardwear’s products are engineered for the experience. #LifeatCSC