• Panasonic
• RAB
• Integral Designs
• PodSacs
• Outdoor Designs
• Thorlo
• Perigaeum
• Zeiss
• Petlife
• Ruff Wear
• Arktis
• Sorbothane
• Gerber
• Petzl
• Julbo
• Beal
• La Sportiva
• CIBA Vision
• ALFA
• Intuition
• SanDisk
• Multimat
• ACR Electronics
• Energizer
• Think Tank
• UK Juicers
• Voilé
• Dr A C Daniels Co Ltd
(makers of Bag Balm)
• Patterson Medical
• Clamcleat
• Snowpaw
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| "[Handling huskies]
is a specialist area that makes huge demands on people, dogs,
critical gear and skills alike. The fact he [Gary] travels
alone is testimony to his ability combined with the magical
bond between him and his huskies." |
| Sir Ranulph Fiennes Bt OBE, July
2003, Patron |
 "Every
manufacturer is out there to tell the world they are developing
the best products. The fact is, few are, despite their hype.
Products I choose to use face deeply challenging circumstances
over long periods of time. My gear leads a tough existence keeping
the dogs and I safe. Ultimately everything blends, enabling
us to operate at the best of our ability.
"Here
are companies I consider first choice specialists, recommend
and consider the best available, worldwide."
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"There's little point me doing what I do unless I can
communicate, be informed and share. Alone in some of the worlds
most isolated wilderness locations on the planet the most
effective way for me to do this is through my laptop. To send
text with exciting image attachments, critical video, audio
files and data, I want to feel confident with whatever IT
gear I use.
"My days are difficult at the best of times. While on
my sled gear remains frozen solid in brutal cold, including
my laptop. It survives a punishing routine of being knocked
around while the dogs and I scale up and over ice rubble higher
than a double-decker bus. Condensation has always been a problem
using a laptop in my tent. I used to wait 5 hours to boot
up. Not any more. Panasonic's light CF-18 Toughbook fires
up effortlessly in less than two hours after being warmed
up from - 51°C."
Panasonic feature in Gary’s diary, blog,
published articles and newspaper coverage:
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"RAB manufacture clothing for pitiless
weather conditions. Proven materials and continually up-dated
detailed innovative design features isolate RAB from rivals.
All the down jackets I've worn throughout journeys in the
last decade were designed and made by RAB.
"I also train in forty below zero temperatures
and keep warm layered with RAB's versatile, breathable, windproof
Vapour-Rise Pertex Equilibrium range of Stretch Top, Trail
Top and hooded Trail Smock. Combined with the pants this high
wicking fabric keeps up with my colossal energy output.
“On more than one occasion my staying alive has meant wearing RAB clothing."
RAB feature in Gary’s diary, blog, published
articles and newspaper coverage:
 Rab
Carrington, Founder: "We
were first attracted to Gary because of his commitment to survival
in the harshest of climates in the far north of Canada. This
is a situation which strongly allies itself to the image of
RAB. The second thing that attracted us to him was his professional
approach to both his trips and his sponsorship deal.
Since working with us
he has furnished us with many ideas for design and fabric
suggestions which help him to survive in the lowest of temperatures.
These ideas will help us at RAB to design for the general
mountaineer and also furnish expeditions heading for the polar
regions." 2003
(Postcard to: Neil McAdie, Marketing
Manager, RAB Down Clothing Equipment 29th February 2004)
Rab-Gary Rolfe Base Camp Tee and Long Sleeve Tee |
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Outdoor Designs feature in Gary’s
diary, blog, published articles and newspaper coverage:
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| Thorlo Logo |
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Thorlo feature in Gary’s blog:
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Carl Wolter, Managing Director: "Gary's
unique photography and writing skills, his media exposure and
dedication make me proud to help him in his ventures. His use
of 'ordinary' technology in the most extraordinary of situations
is an inspiration to anyone involved in the IT industry. As
well as designing and maintaining his website, Perigaeum Consulting
advises Gary on the IT and communications equipment he uses
in the most extreme environments." 2006 |
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Zeiss feature in Gary’s diary and blog:
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“I go to extraordinary lengths to keep and eat myself healthy. I’ve the same dedicated attitude for my dogs’ diet too. I always want to watch my puppies grow from a healthy start. My kennel-breeding plan is long. I prefer winter litters. Coming into a cold polar dark world puppies potentially develop the best double-furred coats. By cold I mean minus 40°C. Training my dogs is down to me. Quality supplement nourishment I leave to Petlife’s Welpi, the closest approximation to bitches milk. Given as a feed supplement to pregnant, nursing bitches or orphaned litters, resistance to disease is increased, milk formation encouraged and general condition improved.
Over long periods of time Petlife's Vetbed remains dense and ice free to provide valuable insulating properties. Some synthetic furs tend to ice up offering no insulation for the dogs in extreme cold, but not Vetbed. It also proves to be a valuable addition to the bottom of flight crates."
Pet Life feature in Gary’s diary, blog
and published articles:
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"My dogs carry the weekly shopping and sometimes we go
off for months at a time. My pack contains supplies and my
dogs carry a third of their body weight in their own food.
We cross hundreds of rivers and tend to bump into wildlife
like bears and wolf packs. My Ruff Wear packs survive a slog
of constant wear, fangs and me. I’m not delicate with
gear."
"The sun doesn’t set throughout Arctic summers
and UV rays can bleach coloured materials and rot stitching.
Perpetual dark polar winters are simply brutal. Cold enough
for spit to turn into ice cubes, the savage cold can alter
material and zip dynamics making them brittle. Ruff
Wear packs
don’t alter. No other dog pack system has been so violently
tested as Ruff Wear’s Palisades Pack and Approach packs.
I know about other dog pack brands, enough not to be impressed."
Ruff Wear feature in Gary’s diary, blog and
published articles and newspaper coverage:
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"Individuals operating with elite military units from
around the world introduced me to Arktis specialist webbing
gear. From here on I began to use it on polar expeditions.
Arctic cold can cause blood vessels to constrict increasing
the resistance to flow. Simple tasks then become a struggle.
It pays to be organised. Arranging my own Arktis chest rig
allows daily essentials such as food, navigation tools and
medical kits to be ordered and close at hand."
Arktis feature in Gary’s diary, blog and
published articles:
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All
photographs copyright © Gary Rolfe