Mount Washington Observatory and Eastern Mountain Sports Forge New Multi-Year Partnership

NORTH CONWAY, N.H., Jan. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- 6,288-foot Mount Washington is known around the world for its horrific weather conditions. Since its founding in 1932, meteorologists at Mount Washington Observatory have studied and documented the mountain's weather, venturing out into the elements on an hourly basis to collect data and maintain the station's weather instruments. Through a new, multi-year partnership, they will now face the "world's worst weather" in gear provided by Eastern Mountain Sports.

Eastern Mountain Sports, Inc., one of the nation's largest outdoor retailers, is now the official outfitter of Mount Washington Observatory. Under this agreement, Eastern Mountain Sports will provide gear and apparel for the Observatory's mountaintop weather observers. In addition, Eastern Mountain Sports will help to support and promote the Observatory's education and community outreach efforts.

"Mount Washington Observatory is a natural fit for Eastern Mountain Sports," said Eastern Mountain Sports CEO Will Manzer. "Not only is Mount Washington the ultimate outdoor experience in the northeast, it's the ultimate proving ground for the EMS brand and our promise of guaranteed performance."

"Education is fundamental to our mission," explained Scot Henley, Executive Director of Mount Washington Observatory. "With 65 retail locations from Maine to Virginia, Eastern Mountain Sports offers us the opportunity to share our knowledge with thousands of outdoor enthusiasts who respect nature every bit as much as they enjoy adventure."

The two New Hampshire-based organizations are familiar partners. For many years, guides from the Eastern Mountain Sports Climbing School, the oldest climbing school in the east, have run climbing and mountaineering training courses on the slopes of Mount Washington, including overnight educational programs at Mount Washington Observatory.

"As the official outfitter of the Mount Washington Observatory," Will Manzer added, "Eastern Mountain Sports is looking forward to showcasing the quality of our products in the most demanding conditions and providing our customers with exciting and inspiring content and experiences."

Eastern Mountain Sports and Mount Washington Observatory will kick off the partnership with launch events at Eastern Mountain Sports stores in North Conway, New Hampshire and New York City.  Dates will be announced shortly.  Both events are open to the public. Mount Washington Observatory supporters and all Mount Washington enthusiasts are especially encouraged to attend.

Each event will feature a presentation with a live update from the summit of Mount Washington as well as the opportunity to meet Eastern Mountain Sports and Mount Washington Observatory staff members and other special guests. The first fifty guests at each event will receive exclusive gifts and every attendee can enter to win great prizes such as overnight trips to the Observatory with the Eastern Mountain Sports Climbing School, Observatory memberships and framed prints from legendary adventurer and photographer Bradford Washburn.

Mount Washington Observatory, which operates within the 59-acre Mt. Washington State Park, is a private, non-profit, membership-supported organization. For 78 years, the nonprofit Mount Washington Observatory has been studying the mountain's incredible extremes, conducting scientific research, educating the public about the science of weather and climate, and amassing one of North America's longest and most unique climate records. Weather, webcams, photos and more information can be found online at www.MountWashington.org.

Founded in 1967 by two New England rock climbers and based in Peterborough, New Hampshire, Eastern Mountain Sports is one of the nation's leading outfitters of outdoor gear, clothing, footwear and accessories with 65 retail stores in 12 states.  The Eastern Mountain Sports Climbing School was started in 1968, and currently has 4 major locations and 7 satellite locations throughout the East, making it the oldest and largest climbing school in the eastern U.S. More information is available at www.ems.com.  

SOURCE Eastern Mountain Sports