Black Diamond Equipment Partners With Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. (RMI) Expeditions

Black Diamond Equipment®, a global leader in climbing, skiing, and mountain sports apparel and gear, has partnered with the premier mountain guiding service Rainier Mountaineering Inc. (RMI) Expeditions, one of the largest guides services in the US with over 70 guides leading expeditions on Rainier, Denali, Aconcagua, Everest and other high peaks around the world. This collaboration is designed to spark innovation, advance the state of mountaineering gear, provide intensive field testing, and drive product design improvements to meet the demands of high-altitude adventurers.

Through this partnership, Black Diamond becomes the official equipment and apparel sponsor for RMI Expeditions. Black Diamond has integrated RMI guides into their product development and field testing programs while outfitting them across key categories such as apparel, packs, ice axes, harnesses, helmets, and more.

“This partnership comes full circle for me,” explains Neil Fiske, President at Black Diamond Equipment. “Earlier in my career, I teamed up with Peter Whittaker and the guides at RMI to create and launch the First Ascent line. Now we’re taking all that guide-built know-how to a new level by integrating them into the climbing and mountaineering expertise of the Black Diamond brand. There’s no better product testing lab: every imaginable weather situation, millions of vertical feet climbed, on users of varying sizes, skills, and needs. The product that comes out the other end is bomber through and through.”

Given RMI’s extensive guide network, this partnership provides invaluable opportunities to test and influence future gear design decisions.

“Since 1969, RMI has guided over 100,000 climbers on Mount Rainier, Denali, and the world’s tallest peaks,” expands Peter Whittaker, owner of RMI Expeditions. “After 50+ years above treeline, we’ve developed a deep understanding of what works, and what doesn’t. We’re excited to partner with Black Diamond to put our vast mountain knowledge and experience into the competent hands of Black Diamond’s designers and developers, opening up an exciting new route to innovation and improved mountain products.”

One standout example of this partnership is the cooperative development of Black Diamond’s upcoming 6000-meter parka. Designed for extreme high-altitude conditions, the parka is undergoing rigorous testing with RMI guides to ensure it meets the needs of climbers tackling the harsh conditions present on peaks above 6,000 meters.

“Professional guides who spend 30-50 hours a week working in the mountains have unique insight into what those conditions require out of their gear,” says Julie Hirsch, Apparel Business Unit Director at Black Diamond Equipment. “Their constant exposure to extreme environments and variable weather allows them to push equipment to its limits in ways that everyday users rarely can.”

The partnership also extends beyond equipment, with the goal of empowering and supporting the guiding community through scholarships, resources, and shared expertise through the following collaborative initiatives:

Educational Content: Black Diamond and RMI will produce content to inspire and educate climbers and mountaineers.

• Guide Scholarship Fund: Supporting guides in furthering their education through the AMGA, this fund underscores the shared commitment to the guiding community.
• Whittaker Mountaineering Shop-in-Shop: A wide selection of Black Diamond gear will be available at this retail location at the foot of Mount Rainier in Ashford, WA.
• Presence at Black Diamond’s New Seattle Store: An informational kiosk on RMI Expeditions will be available at this upcoming Black Diamond retail location alongside co-hosted educational events.