Ortovox are probably best known in the world of mountaineering for their Avalanche Tranceivers which were developed by Gerald Kampel and Jurgen Wegner in 1980 – they were the first to employ a double frequency system which was a major step forward in avalanche technology. Based in Taufkirchen, near Munich, Germany, the company launched a clothing line called Walk Wool in 1988 which seems to have used, primarily, Merino wool; which is a little confusing since the jacket we have here in the collection has a ‘Lama Tex’ label, implying Llama wool was used. Maybe it was a ‘one off’ as it is very itchy! The jacket once belonged to Austrian Mountain Guide, Franz Kroll, who in turn gifted it to British Mountain Guide, Alan Kimber, who kindly passed it on to us. Dating from around 1990, it is pretty much in mint condition and may have been a promotional deal between Ortovox and the Austrian Guides. The International Mountain Guides badge is attached.