The high mountains of Scotland offer a unique experience to mountaineers. Facing the fiercest of weather conditions including snow, ice, extreme temperatures and high altitudes, 40 highly experienced Mountain Instructors of Plas y Brenin prepare to set off to Allstellach in the high peaks of Glencoe this winter.

The Scottish Mountains provide the perfect training ground for mountaineering. However, one thing for sure is that their experience will be dampened if their hands and body are freezing cold and body heat is condensing on the inside of their clothing making them feel cold and damp.

For a fact, the Mountain Instructors will be pushing their skills and equipment to the limits. That’s why Nikwax is assisting the team to prepare, protect and maintain their footwear, clothing and equipment through the use of Nikwax Waterproofing products against these extreme conditions.

UK Sales Manager, Dave Jury said ‘We are committed to keeping people warm and dry in the outdoors and are proud to be working with the highly experienced instructors of Plas y Brenin on this trip.  Through proper maintenance with Nikwax products, the performance of their garments will be enhanced, the instructors will remain comfortable and be protected from the weather and heat loss’.

The Instructors boots are being treated with Nikwax Nubuck and Suede Proof, a sponge-on waterproofing which will maintain the support and breathability of their footwear. Their high-performance mountaineering clothing will be washed firstly with Nikwax Tech Wash to remove any dirt, grease or sweat – Tech-Wash is a non-detergent soap which can be used regularly to clean clothing and equipment without damaging the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coatings. This product is used instead of detergents or washing powder which leave water attracting residues. Following the cleaning stage, the garments will then be treated with TX.Direct, a wash-in waterproofing which adds water-repellency and revives breathability to fabrics.

Their tents will be treated with UV Proof, a Spray-on waterproofing and UV protector for tents and all exterior weatherproof fabrics, again adding water-repellency, reducing colour fade and maintaining the fabric strength.

Plas y Brenin’s Dave Cheetham added ‘Our instructors will be out in the mountains 7 days a week until the end of March, facing the worst that mother nature can throw at them. We need them to stay warm and dry, and in turn motivated, to create an inspirational experience our clients will never forget’.

Nikwax and Plas y Brenin developed a partnership in September 2005. This saw the staff and Instructors at the National Mountain Centre, use Nikwax products to help educate their visitors about the importance of correct clothing and equipment maintenance. It has generated extremely positive feedback from both clients and trainers at the centre.