An up and coming climber from Cumbria has linked up with some of the world’s best-known outdoor names as a sponsored athlete at the UK’s leading performance outdoor brand Berghaus. 21-year-old Anna Taylor, from Windermere, will represent the company and help develop and test its next generation of high-performance outdoor clothing and equipment. Anna joins fellow Lakes-based climbers Sir Chris Bonington and Leo Houlding at Berghaus, and is also set to accompany Leo and his team on a major expedition later this year.
Anna Taylor started out as an indoor competition climber at the age of 10, but soon discovered that she preferred being outdoors and was attracted to the mental challenges presented by traditional outdoor rock climbing. With this as her core focus, she has gone on to chalk up an impressive list of routes, including many in the Lake District.
Anna’s reputation and profile has continued to grow in climbing circles. Last year, she was the focus of renowned filmmaker Al Lee’s project Just Anna, and she will appear in future Gutsy Girls and Reel Rock film tours. In November, Anna will be the sole female member of a team led by fellow Berghaus athlete Leo Houlding, on a climbing expedition to South America.
Berghaus has signed up Anna Taylor to expand its athlete team with emerging homegrown talent. As part of a wider strategy to refresh and highlight the pioneering spirit at its heart, the brand is supporting a new generation of bold individuals who will push the boundaries of modern mountaineering and exploration. As well as being an active brand ambassador for Berghaus, Anna will also play an important role as the company continues to improve and increase its range of women’s specific kit. Anna will work closely with the brand’s product team as it designs, develops and tests new high-performance outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment.
Kev McFadyen, brand director at Berghaus, comments: “Anna is one of the most exciting young climbers in the UK scene, and we’re delighted to have her join the Berghaus team. Just like us, she has big plans for the future, and we look forward to supporting her adventures – starting this November with her trip to Guyana with Leo Houlding and Waldo Etherington.”
Anna Taylor adds: “I’m really happy to join the Berghaus team, as I agree with everything that the brand stands stand for, and the kit is great! It’s nice to be working with a company that promotes adventure and pushing your personal boundaries, as these are both aspects of life that I believe are very important. I’m excited about the opportunity to work with the product team to help Berghaus develop some even better gear for women, and then have the privilege of being among the first to put new designs to the test on some challenging climbs.”
To find out more about Berghaus and its team of athletes visit www.berghaus.com, and keep up to date with Anna Taylor’s adventures on Instagram by following @anna_taylor_98.