1966
Not content with one national landmark, Peter Lockey and Gordon Davison chose to add their own. Two keen climbers from the North East of England, Lockey and Davison decided to open a store that sold the sort of outdoor products that met their own exacting needs.
Taking its name from the founders’ initials, theLD Mountain Centre quickly gained a reputation for designing, testing and manufacturing the best gear in the business.
This innovative, performance driven and high quality kit went by the name of Berghaus. It was performance wear before performance wear was even around. And it’s still performing over 40 years later.
1974-75
It is safe to say that the product that really established Berghaus as a true innovator in outdoor performance clothing and equipment was the Cyclops rucsac. Cyclops was arguably the world's first rucsac with an internal frame.
At the time, most sacs had bulky and uncomfortable external metal frames and minimal padding; Cyclops changed all of that. On its launch, it immediately gained huge popularity and along with other rucsacs, it helped Berghaus build both a reputation and a significant market share.
Examples of early Berghaus rucsacs, such as the Cyclops Roc and a series featuring the unusual Topspan material, can still be found in remarkably good condition today.
1976-77
Building on early successes, Berghaus began to make inroads into Europe, initially exporting selected products to countries along the famous alpine Haute Route. In 1977, the company led the way by introducing the then relatively unknown waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® fabric into some of its products, the first European brand to do so on a commercial level.
In 1977, Sir Chris Bonington, soon to become inextricably linked to Berghaus, succeeded in scaling the formidable Ogre with Doug Scott. This first successful ascent of an infamous peak sealed Chris' burgeoning reputation and it is still one of the most remarkable feats in the history of British mountaineering.
1978-79
The innovations continued apace. Berghaus developed the unique Yeti Gaiter, which was universally recognised as offering the highest level of foot and leg protection available. The gaiters' distinctive rubber rands were initially made from old tractor inner tubes, so the Yeti could claim to be the first truly recycled outdoor performance product.
The Yeti Gaiter is still regarded today as one of the most innovative outdoor performance products to have been developed and is taken as standard equipment on expeditions everywhere.
1980-81
By now, Berghaus had developed a very strong name and some products had quickly gained 'classic' status. The brand was already very popular with walkers when, at the start of the 1980s, the Gemini concept was launched. This forerunner of the Inter-Active system of outer jackets with zip-in fleeces was an instant hit with the walking fraternity and was another example of Berghaus leading the way.
Sir Chris Bonington 'officially' used Berghaus products for the first time and before long he could be found testing gear all over the world and often within his beloved Lake District.
1982-83
By now, Berghaus was renowned for its rucsacs. The introduction of the original A.B. (Adjustable Back) Carrying System and the unique Occipital Cavity significantly enhanced the company's reputation, while the Cyclops remained as popular as ever and the Dart daysac made its first appearance. At the same time, expeditions around the world were being supplied with Berghaus products, taking the brand to some of the most demanding environments on the planet.
Everest – the highest point on Earth and for many mountaineers the ultimate challenge.
1984-85
An up and coming British mountaineer by the name of Alan Hinkes was by now officially working with Berghaus. He had already tested many products for the company and now started tackling some forbidding peaks. In 1985, he and Andy Lewis nearly lost their lives during a famous expedition to White Sail in the Indian Himalaya. Thankfully, they came home and Alan would go on to become the UK's most successful extreme altitude mountaineer.
Alan Hinkes works his way up White Sail in 1985.
1986-87
In 1986, Berghaus launched Extrem, a range of serious mountaineering products for serious mountaineers. The flagship product was the outstanding Trango Jacket, which, in one form or another, was to stay in the range for over 12 years. It was soon put through its paces by Berghaus activists across the globe and became an almost instant 'classic'.
The following year, the Berghaus designed Attak sole unit was introduced to the world. Compatible with Yeti Gaiters, the Attak was used for some of the Scarpa boot range, which Berghaus distributed in the UK, Australia and much of Europe.
The new Trango Jacket is put through its paces on Gangapurna in Nepal.
1988-89
Berghaus had been exporting successfully for several years by now. Achievements in this area were recognised in 1988 when the company was presented with the Queen's Award For Export and also named the Northern Business Awards Exporter of the Year.
Berghaus was one of the first companies to develop outdoor performance product specifically designed for women. By 1988, the range had grown and items such as the Lady Pulsar Rucsac were extremely popular. In addition, the company was by this time working closely with several women who were leading the way in the fields of mountaineering, climbing and adventure trekking.
By 1988, Berghaus was working closely with many women who were leading the way in a wide range of outdoor activities. That work continues to the present day and has indeed expanded.
1990-91
In partnership with W.L. Gore, Berghaus brought another innovation to the market in 1990. The GORE-TEX® Dry Sock yet again saw the company leading the way with a product that has endured to this day.
Berghaus has always innovated not only in product, but also in marketing and advertising support. The advertisements of this era used some extremely evocative images and one featured the fledgling sport of mountain biking. As usual, Berghaus was ahead of the pack.
Berghaus' early '90s advertising epitomised the outdoor experience and featured products such as the GORE-TEX® Dry Sock being used in exactly the kind of environment for which they were designed.
1992-93
In 1993 The Pentland Group PLC bought Berghaus. An international business, owning several of the world's leading sports and lifestyle brands, Pentland recognised that in Berghaus it had acquired a name with massive heritage and credibility. As a result of the purchase, Berghaus was now one of best resourced outdoor performance companies in the world.
Berghaus had been using the principle of 'layering' for years and had developed many leading products that worked together as an effective system. This was now highlighted by the famous 'cut in half man' advertisements that were devised during 1993, designed to reinforce the point that, as was so often the case, Berghaus was at the forefront in its field.
The famous 'cut in half man' makes his debut as new advertisements are developed during 1993.
1994-95
Since its foundation, Berghaus had distributed Scarpa footwear in the UK. In 1994, that arrangement ended and Berghaus launched its first footwear collection. Using the Attak sole unit, the Storm was easily the most popular of the new range and, bar a few changes, it is essentially the same boot today. The Storm was soon regarded as the definitive three season fabric hiking boot and has since been used by adventurers on trails and hills on every point of the compass.
The original Storm boot, part of Berghaus' first footwear collection, was a huge success.
1996-97
In 1997 Berghaus introduced the Simplex concept. By minimising the layers of fabric used in a garment, the product team was able to maximise its breathability and waterproofing without compromising on its performance and function. The inclusion of easy to adjust features and minimalist styling ensured that these lightweight Simplex products were ideal for a wide range of energetic outdoor activities.
In 1997, Alan Hinkes, already established as the UK's leading extreme altitude mountaineer, set out on Challenge 8000. His aim was to be the first Briton to climb every one of the world's 8000m mountains. There are 14 in total and by the end of the year Alan had already summited on nine of them.
1998-99
Berghaus and innovation have always been synonymous. It was therefore fitting that, at a time when the company was about to embark on a new era at The Extrem Centre, one of its most innovative products ever was launched. It was just as fitting that this product took the form of a rucsac, the category in which Berghaus made its name.
The Nitro was introduced in 1998 and its unique Limpet carrying and compression system, combined with ultra modern styling, earned it plaudits far and wide. In fact, the Design Council bestowed upon the Nitro a Millennium Product Award, a recognition of true innovation.
The award winning Nitro Rucsac.
2000-01
Thomas Huber, brother of Alex and another of the world's very best all round climbers, joined the Berghaus Team at the start of 2000. The brothers have climbed together for many years, but during the last two years they have achieved much independently. Most notable of recent expeditions is Thomas' fantastic climb of the Ogre in 2001. The mountain had only been climbed successfully once before, by Chris Bonington and Doug Scott in 1977. Thomas' second ascent was given world-wide acclaim.
In 2001 Berghaus' partnership with W.L.Gore and Associates continued to grow in strength, when the two combined to develop GORE-TEX® Summit II XCR®. Summit II XCR® is an exceptionally tough fabric which combines all the benefits of the new GORE-TEX® XCR® extremely breathable waterproof technology with a soft hand and very low noise factor. GORE-TEX® Summit II XCR® was launched to the public in 2000 and the products in which it featured have since built a great reputation.
2003
Berghaus takes innovation to a whole new level with the launch of Extrem Light, an integrated, lightweight range of clothing, footwear and rucsacs which is designed to help people go faster, further and in more comfort. The objective... to design products that offered maximum performance at the minimum weight without sacrificing durability or comfort. So popular was the range that new products are continuously being added.
2004
2004 saw the launch of Berghaus' Adventure Travel range, a collection of clothing, footwear and rucsacs designed to perform in the most extreme temperatures, while looking good enough to wear in the hotel lobby. Combining the comfort of Latitude fabric and Dri Release™ odour prevention with Healthguard™ protection against tropical disease and SPF factors, the Adventure Travel range offers all the comfort and protection the modern day traveller needs.
2005
Berghaus stole the headlines in 2005 with the launch of the world's most innovative back system to date, Bioflex®. The system was designed to work with your body's natural movements and stole the show at all major UK and international shows, receiving the ISPO award for innovation.
Berghaus mountaineer Alan Hinkes also stole the headines in 2005 becoming the first Briton to climb all of the world's 14 peaks above 8000m. A historic moment for Berghaus and Britain.
2006
Berghaus sponsored mountaineer Alan Hinkes, has been awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to sport.
Speaking about his award Alan said:
"I'm over the moon to receive an OBE. My Challenge 8000 aim has taken me over 18 years to achieve and to receive official recognition like this is a dream come true. I just want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout."
Also in 2006, Berghaus is recognised by the Queen’s Awards, one of the most prestigious business awards in the UK, as a winner in the Innovation Category for design and technical developments in outdoor products. Announced each year on the Queen’s birthday, 21 April, the awards are given to elite companies across three categories of International Trade, Innovation and Sustainable Development.
2007
2007 sees the grand opening of the Berghaus flagship store in the MetroCentre, showcasing products from all ranges and inviting customers to enjoy the Berghaus brand experience first hand.