Luanne Freer of Everest ER reviews the Women's Ama Dablam Jacket

The first ever Everest technical rescue training course for Sherpa climbers, sponsored jointly by Khumbu Climbing School, Everest ER and Rigging for Rescue graduated 8 proud Sherpa students Feb 2, 2009 in the village of Phortse, Nepal. Volunteer instructors gave freely of their time and considerable expertise doing what they love best – and in the meantime prepared the students to safely rig and effect rescues that occur every year in the hazardous Himalaya. I was a student right along with the Sherpa – really wanted to dig in and get the gist of what they’re doing. (Note to self: Pay attention in physics class next time! This is challenging material and I’m hypoxic!)

Pulley systems, mechanical advantage and high altitude aside, I needed an outer layer. A jacket, light enough (weighing in at 17 oz) to stuff in a backpack that I lugged for hours every day at 13,000ft (every ounce counts!) but warm enough to keep my teeth from chattering on the shaded ice, and mobile enough to climb in (and pass my first knot!) The Ama Dablam did it all – and stylishly! Especially nice is the hood – generously sized to go over my helmet – and the inside stuff sack pocket so everything stays compact and neat. It’s a staple of my Himalayan – and Bozeman – wardrobe. Thanks, Marmot!

Dr Luanne Freer (wearing the Ama Dablam in rainwater) and lead instructor Brandon Latham award their first rescue diploma at the Phortse monastery. Luanne is the founder and director of the “Everest ER” base camp medical clinic in Nepal.

The mission of Everest Er is to provide altitude-experienced compassionate quality health care and preventative education to the climbing community, their support staff and trekking-through public in base camp, using proceeds from this care to subsidize free/low cost health care for the Sherpa people in the Khumbu region of Nepal. Learn more about Everest ER at marmotpro.com.