Remembering Peter Hutchinson, the man behind Mountain Equipment and PHD

PHD Sleep System

 
Recently I was saddened to hear of the death of Peter Hutchinson, the founder of Mountain Equipment and PHD (Pete Hutchinson Designs). Back in the late 1970s and the 1980s when I was first learning about outdoor gear Pete was one of the key people to talk to due to his knowledge of down clothing and sleeping bags. As a designer he produced unsurpassed products that went on many major expeditions to Everest and other Himalayan peaks plus the Arctic and Antarctica and just about every mountain range there is. I had many conversations with Pete at the annual UK gear show in Harrogate and learnt a great deal. He was one of the true innovators and will be sadly missed.

Over the years I've used many Mountain Equipment and PHD items including an ME Lightline sleeping bag on the Pacific Crest Trail back in 1982 (pictured above) and much more recently the PHD Sleep System on my Yosemite Valley to Death Valley walk and just last month on the GR5 Trail through the Alps. Every time I use any of this gear now I'll think of Peter and thank him.

Peter was a supporter of Médecins Sans Frontières and a JustGiving page has been set up in his memory.