Kyle Willis of High Mountain Gear, who creates specialized equipment for alpinists, guides, and climbers.
This episode is part of the Meet the Maker series where we highlight an entrepreneur who is making specialty gear for ice climbers. If you’ve ever wanted to hear the story behind some of your favorite – and soon to be favorite – products, that’s what today’s conversation is about.
We’re doing this because we believe that thoughtfully-designed gear is more than the sum of its parts: they are crafted by folks who have decades of experience in the sport, are refined through countless iterations and testing, and brought to life with genuine passion to solve real problems.
Said another way, these folks represent the heart and soul of product innovation.
Kyle Willis of High Mountain Gear, who creates specialized equipment for alpinists, guides, and climbers.
I mean specialized too, like 4 oz. ice hammocks or ski guide tarps — gear that most businesses run away from making. But not Kyle. That’s because he’s driven to fill gaps in the outdoor market — his product decision process always starts with the question, "Why doesn't this exist?"
Specific to ice climbers, Kyle is generously giving away a few crampon bags and a rare pink Ice Screw Cannon to listeners.
Here’s how to enter:
In the conversation, be on the lookout for the answer to the following question:
Once you have the answer to the question: