66°NORTH and Icelandic Mountain Guides have teamed up to offer an extensive training programme for a mass ascent of the Hvannadalshnukur Glacier. Beyond the pursuit of adventure and sport, the goal of the mass ascent is to raise awareness of the marked increase in world glacial melt.

The legacy of 66˚NORTH is based on the Icelandic landscape and its people. It is for this reason that the company is seeking to raise awareness of the world's rapidly melting glaciers. It is not a political statement, as much as it is recognition of a major threat to the stability of the ecosystem.
Dubbed “Reach the Top With 66˚NORTH,” training began in early February with an open invitation to the people of Iceland. Nearly 300 people showed up for the first meeting. The workshops continue with physical training goals and regular meetings that address the unique factors of glacial ascents. Under the leadership of the Icelandic Mountain Guides, the goal is for all participants to reach the summit of Mt. Hvannadalshnukur on June 7, 2008. At 6920 feet (2110 metres), Mt. Hvannadalshnukur is the highest summit in Iceland, a southern spur of the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull.

The hope is that by facilitating this mass ascent, 66˚NORTH will enable more people to gain a firsthand awareness of the importance of glaciers to environmental balance. Though glacial melt is a serious topic, 66˚NORTH also celebrates the joy of activity and human achievement. Follow the progress at: http://www.66north.com/about-us/news-&-events.

About 66°NORTH

66°NORTH Ltd. is one of Iceland’s oldest manufacturing companies. It was established in the year 1926, it's been a longtime leading innovator in the creation of specialised clothing for use in the toughest conditions on land and sea. 66°NORTH Ltd also prides itself on being an expert in the production of supreme quality clothing for sports and leisure. Not only does 66°NORTH have happy customers, but an impressive list of awards for its designs and marketing campaigns.

Today, the company employs a team of over 300 people. It has 9 stores in Iceland under the names of 66°NORTH and Iceland Gift Store, as well as a store in Latvia and two stores in Lithuania. Furthermore the 66°NORTH apparel is sold in retail stores across Europe and North America.

For further information about 66°NORTH visit our international website, www.66north.com.

About Icelandic Mountain Guides

Icelandic Mountain Guides (IMG) offers Icelandic hiking tours, mountaineering adventures, trekking, climbing and more.
 
IMG believe that no vacation in Iceland would be complete without experiencing its beautiful and unspoilt natural environment. IMG therefore offers a wide variety of hiking tours that will give the visitor a direct and powerful experience.

IMG offers hiking tours from its corporate headquarters in Reykjavik year-round, and from its base camp located in the beautiful Skaftafell National Park, located in Southern Iceland at the foot of the Vatnajokull Glacier, from May – September.

For further information about Icelandic Mountain Guides visit the website, www.mountainguide.is.