Specialists who equipped Hillary

Press, 19 July 1979, Page 14

Specialists who equipped Hillary

Mountain Equipment Limited, specialists in a full range of Alpine clothing and equipment have moved from the well known “old mountain shop” premises on the corner of Kilmore and Victoria Streets to 384 Montreal Street, not far from the Victoria Street clock tower. The move will co-ordi-nate all facets of the company as the retail shop now joins the Mountain Equipment factory situated on the top floor of the building in Montreal Street. The old shop was past redemption after 115 years of varied service to the Christchurch public and it can no longer be used in its present capacity because of the city zoning requirements. Mr Bevan Napper started Mountain ■ Equip- ■ ment Limited in the late | 1940 s in Arthurs Pass | after returning to New I Zealand from war service I with the Royal Navy Fleet I Air Arm. I He concentrated his I original activities on the I design and manufacture of I mountaineering packs suit- | able for New Zealand con- | ditions. I The “Mountain Mule” I range of packs which I were highly acceptable | and were proved and used | by various expeditions I both at home and abroad I were manufactured at this I time. I Moving to Christchurch, | Mr Napper gradually I developed other specialI ised mountaineering equip- | ment and began building I up shop stocks of I accepted overseas and I local mountaineering and I back country requirements I which led to a fully I stocked mountaineering I specialist business. ’ Sir Edmund Hillary, one | of the more familiar I names in the New Zealand - climbing world was one of the earlier members of the mountain climbing fraternity to order alpine equipment from Mountain Equipment Limited. In the 1950 s Mr Napper was commissioned to provide equipment for Sir Edmund Hillary’s Expedition to Everest and later, to design and manufacture a special pack for the Mount Herschel Antarctic Expedition. The policy of the firm was, and still is, to provide a small, personalised, specialised service, catering for those whose recreation was in the mountains of this country, and to those involved in New Zealand activities overseas. A great deal of time and effort has been involved in providing specialised items for use in New Zea- . land. Apart from servicing Sir Edmund Hillary’s expeditions, services include the manufacture of the Ski Touring Bindings for > use in the Antarctic (which took the early type

of insulated boot that was used in those days), the design and manufacture of light weight Ventile ‘A’ Pole tents for the use of scientific personnel in some of their field activities, the design and supply of double Wyncol blizzard parkas with Wolverine edgelined hoods, insulated overboots, carrying frames for surveying instruments for the Lands and Survey department, D.S.I.R. requirements, folding stretchers for the Police Mountain Rescue department, rescue requirements for various ski clubs, carrying equipment for Forestry departments to name but a few of the alpine items supplied, with countless specialities done for individual clients over the years. A few years ago the company also decided to promote its minor ski activities to become a major operation of the present organisation, established with the best of “know how” by the return of Greg Napper from two years of European experience in the ski business and all its aspects. Greg and Mark Napper are the co-managers of

Mountain Equipment Limited now that their father, Bevan Napper, has moved into semi-retire-ment. As retail manager, Greg Napper will be attending the World Winter Sports Trade Fair in Munich next February, a visit which will enable him to keep up front with new trends and progress in climbing technology and all-round alpine equipment. Mark Napper, who has also been overseas, is the manufacturing manager and the company specialist in the production of the “Mountain Range” of ski clothing. This new production line produced in the factory consists of Mark’s own clothing designs and the use of imported “Scholer” Swiss fabric. A new concept this year designed by Mark Napper is the Duvet climbing jacket. Personal service is continued through the manufacture of these garments and individual garments design are of a very high standard, a policy of Mountain Equipment. Greg Napper says that at no time did Mountain

Equipment want to get too involved in the production of any one particular item and lose the personal contact with their specialised types of business. As an example of this, a few years ago the production of Mountain Mule packs was taken over by a large manufacturing organisation who have all the facilities to produce and promote this well established line. Outside the retail business Mountain Equipment sells wholesale tramping ■equipment and climbing gear to various outlets throughout the South Island. The company will also carry out repairs on a wide range of alpine items including packs, skis, clothing and sleeping bags. A ski hire may be set up at the premises next year. “Our for the future is for a better specialcan be made to measure if necessary. Quality and ised alpine shop, compact and efficient, with our workroom on the premises, and completely staffed with fully experienced personnel,” says Mr Greg Napper.