Get Inspired by Lisa Rands! WACTH THE VIDEO

SAN LEANDRO, CALIFORNIA – The North FaceŽ athlete Lisa Rands made the first female ascent of The Mandala (V12) in the Buttermilks in Bishop, Calif., Jan. 18. Rands, who lives in Bishop, said she had her eye on The Mandala for years, but had not had a chance to really work on it until recently. The completed her ascent on her third try on the third day of attempts.

Fellow The North FaceŽ athlete Peter Croft and Bishop local described The Mandala as the best unclimbed line in the Buttermilks before Chris Sharma's 2000 first ascent.

"When I climbed it, it felt easy," said Rands. "It makes me realize I can step up my level of climbing."

Revered within the climbing community, The Mandala climbs a steep prow on a large granite boulder. Rands nailed the critical first move -- an extremely long one given her 5'4" frame -- and powered through the rest of the sequence with precision, only hesitating for a second before turning the lip onto the icy summit.

"It was under snow for a while," said Rands. "I had friends shoveling the top off to try and dry it."

For more information on Lisa's ascent of The Mandala, check out bishopbouldering.blogspot.com.

About The North FaceŽ
The North Face, a subsidiary of VF Corporation, was founded in 1966. Headquartered in San Leandro, California, the company offers the most technically advanced products in the market to accomplished climbers, mountaineers, snowsport athletes and explorers. The company's products are sold in specialty mountaineering, backpacking and snowsport retailers, premium-sporting goods retailers and major outdoor specialty retail chains. Additional information about The North FaceŽ can be found on the company's website, www.thenorthface.com.

Pamela Bennett
510.618.3654
pam_bennett@vfc.com

Amy Goldhammer
510.618.2815
amy_goldhammer@vfc.com