Bear Grylls, the extreme adventurer and star of Man vs. Wild, was the man of the hour at the opening day of the 2012 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market tradeshow at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City. Thursday, January 19th was a great opportunity for a select few to sit with this outdoor survivalist to hear of how his love of the outdoors developed and to discuss the Bear Grylls outdoor clothing line that he personally helped test and develop with Craghoppers.
Bear Grylls has become one of the most renowned individuals of outdoor adventure and survival. It all started when he was a young lad back in the UK on the Isle of Wight when his father taught him how to climb and sail. Grylls trained in martial arts and spent three years in the British Special Forces. It was in the British Special Forces that he learned to perfect the many skills that people all over the world witness while watching Man vs. Wild.
Aside from his lifestyle on Discovery Channel’s Man vs. Wild that has reached an estimated 1.2 billion viewers and earned an Emmy nomination, Bear has led record-breaking expeditions from the Arctic to Antarctica. These expeditions have raised more than $2.5 million for children around the world. He was also appointed as the youngest Chief Scout to 28 million scouts worldwide as well as awarded an honorary commission as a Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Navy. As if that isn’t enough, Bear is also the author to ten books which includes the number one bestseller, Mud, Sweat & Tears.
The former Boy Scout says, “You can’t put a price on your experiences in the outdoors,” which rings true to those that take advantage of the mysterious beauty and excursions that nature has to offer. Over the years, Bear has become more aware and cautious during his survival expeditions. “Pride is a killer. I did some stupid things when I was younger and was lucky to have survived. You have to be smart and listen to that inner voice. It’s not smart to depend on luck.”
When asked if part of his drive is to set records and what he thought about these younger individuals such as Jordan Romero, who summited Mount Everest when he was at the young age of 13, Bear responded, “I think it’s great that these kids have goals for themselves and go for them. If you don’t risk failure, you don’t risk anything. It’s human nature to set records, but it’s never been my whole drive. I think you need to just follow your dreams and look after your family and friends along the way.”
As many know, Mr. Grylls isn’t exactly easy on his clothing. He jumps out of planes, trudges through mud and desert areas, and often finds himself in different challenging situations in the wilderness. He needed a clothing line that would be effectively durable, efficient, comfortable and up to the expeditions that we all love watching him venture through. He chose Craghoppers because of their respectable reputation in the United Kingdom.
The Bear Grylls by Craghoppers line is all about survival with an edge. Bear proudly wears this stylish line and the 2012 collection includes new lightweight downs that travel, pack, and perform superbly according to Bear. The new collection also includes a wide range of weather jackets that will keep you warm in the coldest of conditions as well as dry and comfortable in the rain. You can guarantee that this clothing line has been put through the wringer with Bear, and rest assured that it wouldn’t be released out in the market unless it was Bear Grylls “tested and approved.”
It was a real treat to sit and hear, up close and personal, about the passion that Bear Grylls has for the outdoors. The man loves what he does and has a fantastic clothing line to hold up in the harshest of terrains and whatever temperature conditions he faces. Bear handled the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market quite well after getting mobbed by media and fans after the press conference and inside the booth of Craghoppers. Bear’s next adventure is surely to be as engaging as ever, and the millions of followers of Man vs. Wild will continue to live vicariously through the eyes of this extreme explorer.
You can purchase the Bear Gryll’s by Craghoppers line on Amazon.com and www.us.craghoppers.com.
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