Mugs Stump Award Winners Announced for 2003

The Mugs Stump Award, which over the last 11 years has provided $139,000 in grants to small teams tackling hard routes in the great ranges of the world, has announced the recipients of the $15,000 total to be given out this year. Established in the wake of Stump's death on Denali in 1992, the awards honor his legacy as one of the United States' boldest and most visionary all-around climbers by providing funds to teams making a first ascent, significant repeat, or first alpine-style ascent of a route.

First up are Steve House, Marko Prezelj, and Julian Cartwright, who will attempt the North Face of 25,660-foot Masherbrum in Pakistan's Karakoram; next are Russel Mitrovich and Jimmy Haden, who will try a new route on the seldom-visited south face of India's Changabang (22,520 feet); Doug Chabot, Bruce Miller, and Conrad Anker will try to bag the oft-attempted but still unclimbed face of Meru Shark's Fin, also in India; Josh Wharton and Chris Dobbins will attempt the remote South Face of Alaska's Kichatna Spire; and finally, Sean Isaac and Scott Semple will have a go at a new ice and mixed route on the west face of North Howser Tower in Canada's Bugaboos.

For more information on the award, which is sponsored by Black Diamond, ClifBar, Mountain Gear, Patagonia, and W.L. Gore & Associaties, go to www.patagonia.com