SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (January 15, 2016)—Petzl, leader in the world of verticality and lighting, today welcomed legendary climber Conrad Anker to its professional athlete team.

“Conrad Anker stunned us all with his four Zion walls in a day back in '92. Twenty-four years later, he is continuing to make headlines for his climbing accomplishments and opening new ground on unfinished projects,” said Nazz Kurth, president of Petzl America. “Conrad truly embodies what it means to be a Petzl athlete. He has consistently expanded our vision of what is possible. He is a technical expert, a proud mentor for aspiring alpinists, and a genuinely kind human being. We're very honored to welcome him into the Petzl family.”

The late Mugs Stump, a visionary of modern alpinism, mentored Anker. He has opened new ground on peaks from Alaska to Antarctica, with the legendary Alex Lowe, and is now a mentor for aspiring climbers. He continues to open new routes both near his home in southwestern Montana and in the greater ranges of central Asia.

Anker is the driving force behind The Khumbu Climbing Center in Nepal. The Khumbu Climbing Center works with Nepal’s Sherpa community to increase their technical skills and train them with the essential technical skills to match their climbing passion and physical ability. 

“Petzl’s commitment to climber education and their expert knowledge makes this a natural partnership,” said Anker. “I’m excited for what we can achieve together.”

Petzl®For over 40 years, Petzl has developed innovative tools and techniques used by those who work and play in the vertical world. Today, the Petzl brand is closely associated with adventure, exploration, rescue, and many notable exploits in the worlds of rock climbing, caving, and alpinism. In the professional market, Petzl is a world leader in work at height, fire and rescue, and tactical equipment and techniques. A family-owned business, Petzl is committed not only to quality and innovation, but also to giving back to the communities that have made us so successful. For more information, visit www.petzl.com.

 MEDIA CONTACT:Christina Erb LoVullo Verde Brand Communications christina@verdepr.com970.366.4579, 156