Mount Asgard proved to be one of the harshest places the team had ever encountered with them spending 23 hours a day in the shade, enduring constant sub-zero temperatures and snowstorms – without their Berghaus gear the outcome would have been very different. They also took some chosen Nokia phones to log videos, photos, and exercise levels. Below is some of the key kit they had for their journey...
The Incinerator Duvet is new for autumn/winter 2009 and was extremely popular with the team as they faced long, cold nights on the rock face.
Leo Says: 'Literally a life saver. The windproof, water resistant outer provided a crucial barrier against the killer arctic wind. The Primaloft outer fill stops any moisture reaching the thick layer of down inner fill keeping us from freezing even whilst stationary, exposed to the most savage ice storms. I don't think we'd have got to the top without these jackets.'
New for autumn/winter '09 the Furnace is an incredibly light and packable down jacket - designed for the ultimate warmth/weight ratio.
Leo says: 'These fitted light weight down layers are great for carrying on lead. It packs neatly into its inside pocket and is so light that when clipped onto the back of your harness it's barely noticeable. It's so nicely fitted and warm I've started to use it as a mid layer underneath a soft shell jacket as an alternative to a fleece.'
The mapped construction of the Diffusion makes it ideal for climbing where weather resistance and breathability are essential.
Leo Says: 'I live in my diffusion jacket at home and on expeditions. I use it as my main outer layer whenever it's not warm. The weatherproof material is a total winner for all round outdoor use and it's stylish enough to wear to the pub afterwards. The elasticity of the fabric means it doesn't lift up when you reach high or scrunch up when you crouch down.
Our most versatile pant which has been designed for year round alpine use – making it perfect for the Asgard Project.
Leo says: 'Another live in item, at least when I'm in the mountains. The venting zips are perfectly positioned and I often roll up the cuffs to make shorts to cool you off when on an exerting approach yet the material is warm, windproof and water repellent enough to withstand all but the most savage weather on a climb.'
Featuring the updated Cyclops III back system and a range of functional features the Expedition is the perfect all round rucsac.
Leo says: The expedition packs are suburb for transporting large amounts of stuff. There's plenty of straps to attach the inevitable variety of items that end up needing to be tied on the outside. The carry system is simple, effective and bombproof. It gives you a shoulder not to cry about after miles of effort and make a bad scene bearable.'
Our range Powerstretch hat, scarves and gloves are a must have in any cold environment to protect the extremities from the biting cold.
Leo says: 'For warmth to weight ratio these modest garments are unmatched and indispensable. They fit easily into a pocket and provide crucial coverage to major heat loss gaps in your clothing system. I always bring a spare of each. These items were also a useful addition to the ninja look.'
Our new Explorers are engineered from the inside out to give you out-of-the-box comfort.
The GORE-TEX® lining offers waterproof protection and the Ergonomic Holding System (EHS) keeps your foot held securely in place.
The GORE-TEX® construction gives the GTX Gaiter durable, breathable waterproof protection.
The Smoulder Hoody is also new for autumn/winter 2009 and was tested by Leo and the team.
Leo says: 'When you're on a long expedition somewhere cold and carrying all your own gear you don't change your clothes. We lived in these tops for the entire trip. Light, fitted, fast wicking and fast drying they provide amazing warmth for such a thin layer but it's the hood and neck gaitor which really gives you an exponential amount of reassurance when it's cold.
The Temperance is our lightest 3 layer GORE-TEX® Pro Shell jacket, with articulated sleeves for optimum movement while climbing.
The jacket features the innovative Raptor hood which is helmet compatible and has core venting to help regulate body temperature.
The N86 8MP has an 8 megapixel camera, allowing the crew to capture stunning images as they scale to the peak of Asgard. As soon as Leo has shot any photos & videos he can share them with us here on Ovi by Nokia.
Leo and team are one of the first to be playing around with this great phone, allowing the world to see their experience in pictures. For more information, click here.
The N79 is one of the latest additions to the NSeries. Being GPS enabled, the crew used the Sports Tracker on the N79 to log their route up the face of one of the most dangerous climbs on earth.
For more information click here.
With superior surround sound and built in stereo speakers, the crew were able to bring some entertainment to the camp while they waited for the weather to change before starting the climb with their Nokia 5800!
Find out more here.
Nokia Sports Tracker is a GPS service for mobile phones that allows active individuals to measure the exact distance, time and altitude of their training sessions.
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