Free shipping on orders over $99. Learn more

"Above the Clouds" — A Mountaineer's Story

By Ethan Ward Professional Mountaineer 15+ years experience Alpine

I've spent the past fifteen years chasing summits across the world — from the icy ridges of Denali to the thin air of Cho Oyu. Each climb has tested not only my endurance but also every piece of gear I carry. Comfort, weight, and adaptability are not luxuries up there — they're survival.

When I first tried BWO apparel on an expedition to the Andes, I realized that comfort could coexist with performance. The BWO One Fit fleece hugged my body like a second skin, keeping warmth where I needed it and letting me breathe through the steep ascents. The BWO shell jacket, light yet impenetrable, stood firm against freezing wind and sleet at 6,000 meters.

There's a moment near every summit when the world falls silent — only your heartbeat and the wind remain. In that stillness, you notice every detail: the steady warmth across your chest, the flexibility in your shoulders, the absence of distraction. That's the difference BWO made for me — freedom in motion, clarity in focus.

On my latest climb up Ama Dablam, I wore BWO from base to summit. As the sun broke over the Himalayas, I felt that quiet confidence that only comes when your gear feels like an extension of yourself. For a mountaineer, that's everything.

"BWO isn't just apparel. It's the calm between the gusts, the warmth between breaths, the unseen companion that lets you climb higher — and stay there longer."
  • Name: Ethan Ward
  • Nationality: Canadian
  • Profession: Professional Mountaineer, Expedition Leader, Outdoor Photographer
  • Experience: 15+ years of high-altitude climbing across six continents
  • Mount Everest (8,848m) — South Col route, 2018
  • K2 (8,611m) — Summit attempt, 2021
  • Denali (6,190m) — Solo ascent, 2016
  • Ama Dablam (6,812m) — Summit, 2024
  • Aconcagua (6,961m) — Summit, 2015
  • Elbrus (5,642m) — Summit, 2013
  • National Geographic Adventurer of the Year (Nominee, 2022)
  • Lead climber for "Beyond the Summit" environmental film project
  • Featured in Alpinist Magazine and Outside Online
  • Current Gear Partner: BWO Outdoor Equipment

"The higher I climb, the clearer the silence."

Ethan Ward mountaineering

Ethan Ward is a professional mountaineer and BWO ambassador known for his high-altitude expeditions and environmental advocacy. He has climbed on six continents and leads expeditions for both experienced and aspiring mountaineers.

Share this story