Supporting Canadian outdoor adventurers: MEC and RCGS partner to advance high-level expeditions

OTTAWA, May 9, 2018 /CNW/ - Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) and The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) are partnering to provide concrete support for high-level Canadian adventure expeditions. John Geiger, CEO of the RCGS, considers the partnership with MEC a perfect match. "We're thrilled to have MEC, a name synonymous with quality, adventure and a passion for the outdoors, working with us as we fulfill our mission to connect Canadians with their natural and cultural heritage." 

Since 1929, the RCGS has supported and celebrated Canadian exploration, from the windswept heights of Yukon's Mount Logan to the still-unknown depths of the Bisaro Anima cave, Canada's deepest cave. In 1992 the RCGS mounted a major 13-member expedition to measure the height of Mount Logan, Canada's highest mountain, with support from MEC. Now, 26 years later, the RCGS and MEC are strengthening this partnership. When explorers carry the flag of the RCGS out into this country's wildest spaces and most remote places, they'll do so with quality gear from a leading Canadian name in outdoor equipment and clothing.

"Gear that's designed, made and tested to perform in the challenging and often harsh conditions that Canadian explorers find themselves in, can mean the difference between success or failure," said David Labistour, CEO of MEC.  "It's a tremendous honour to bring MEC's expertise in making gear for millions of Canadian outdoor enthusiasts to the RCGS Expeditions Program as its Official Outfitter." 

Seven expeditions will receive support from the RCGS and MEC in 2018, including: 

• MEC Expedition of the Year: The Bisaro Plateau Caves Project will see speleologists continuing their exploration of this challenging cave system, relying on underground camps and cave diving.
• Expédition AKOR, a three-month, 1,500-kilometre canoe journey connecting the George River, Ungava Bay, Mount Iberville and the steep coastlines along the Labrador Sea.
• The Bayne/Coleman Project, a documentary about the search for Sir John Franklin's burial vault.
• The Mystery Mountain Project, a re-enactment of the first exploration of British Columbia's Waddington Range.

More Expedition information at: www.rcgs.org/programs/expeditions/

Founded in 1971 by a group of west coast mountaineers, MEC's mission is to connect people with the gear and expertise they need to lead an active life outdoors. As Canada's largest co-op by membership, MEC is committed to sustainability, community and the stewardship of wild places.

Social Media Links: @RCGS_SGRC, @CanGeo, @MEC

SOURCE Royal Canadian Geographical Society