Collaboration & Discount Policy

High Mountain Gear

High Mountain Gear is a small, independent manufacturer focused on durable, purpose-driven climbing equipment. As we continue to grow, we’re updating how we approach collaborations, pro deals, and discounts to better reflect our values and capacity.

Our guiding principle is simple:

Access is earned through reciprocal value — not identity.

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A shift in how we approach discounts

We no longer offer blanket discounts based solely on titles, certifications, or affiliations.

Instead, we focus on reciprocal collaborations, where value flows both ways.

This means that anyone — guides, climbers, artists, or customers — may be considered for discounts or collaboration if they contribute something meaningful in return. Contribution may include product-focused content, creative work, or other tangible value that supports the brand and community.

This approach allows us to remain fair, sustainable, and open, while ensuring partnerships are based on participation rather than status.

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How collaborations are evaluated

All collaboration and discount inquiries are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Submission does not guarantee accommodation.

In general, we look for:

• Demonstrated effort and follow-through
• Relevance to our products and the climbing community
• Work we can actually use and share

We prioritize usable deliverables, not promises, reach metrics, or follower counts.

Details regarding evaluation and next steps are shared after an inquiry is made.

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Existing product owners

Customers who already own High Mountain Gear products are welcome to submit content directly for consideration.

Ownership already establishes trust. Evaluation focuses on the quality, relevance, and usefulness of the work itself.

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New collaboration inquiries

New collaboration requests are expected to include some form of work upfront. This is not intended as speculative marketing or unpaid labor.

At the early stage, there is often no product context, discount approval, or defined outcome. Rather than asking people to wait in limbo, we invite them to participate on their own terms.

When no clear product-specific contribution exists yet, the default entry point is creative. This is where shrimp-aligned work often appears.

Shrimp-based submissions are not a test, requirement, or inside joke. They are simply a low-stakes way to show intent, voice, and effort without needing permission, metrics, or a formal brief.

Some people submit drawings, writing, jokes, photos, short videos, cooking, or experiments. Others wait until they have product access or a clearer use case. Both approaches are valid.

What matters is not polish or relevance to a product yet, but whether the work reflects genuine participation rather than a request for access alone.

The PNW Shrimp Syndicate

Some collaborative efforts may intersect with the PNW Shrimp Syndicate, an ongoing cultural project that exists alongside High Mountain Gear.

The Shrimp Syndicate is intentionally non-conventional.

It is not a performance metric, a grading system, or a traditional ambassador program. It is a creative universe designed to engage the climbing community through curiosity, humor, and shared experience.

The shrimp universe is a limitless format that seeks to surface more questions than answers. This segment is unconventional on purpose — it gives contributors an opportunity to express creativity aligned with myth, not grades.

In this space, we value work that:

• Embraces absurdity alongside seriousness
• Celebrates friendships, art, humor, and climbing culture
• Prioritizes intent and effort over polish
• Surfaces questions rather than delivering answers

Participation is voluntary and open-ended. Some contributors may draw, sing, cook, perform, write, film, or invent entirely new forms of expression. Others may decide it’s not for them — which is completely fine.

Details regarding how shrimp-aligned contributions are reviewed or considered are shared only after an inquiry is made.

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Final note

This approach may result in fewer collaborations — but better ones.

Our goal is not volume, buzz, or automatic access.
Our goal is meaningful contribution, mutual respect, and sustainable partnerships.