About Us
Our staff
We come from various backgrounds, but we come together with one common goal: to equip our customers with gear for trips to the world's wild places.
Dave and Trish
In 1981, Dave turned his back on a well-paid government job and, with Trish, opened Katoomba Outdoor Centre - the first outdoor store in the upper Blue Mountains, and the precurser to Summit Gear. With their passion for design, they soon began designing and manufacturing Summit Gear products from their back shed. These days, Dave is still the key designer and keeps the manufacturing process running smoothly, and Trish is the Boss.
Brett
Brett has been melting thread ends on Summit Gear packs since age 7. After spending years alternating between travel and university, he decided that life wasn't meant to be spent in an office cubicle. Growing up in a family business dedicated to making outdoor gear has given Brett a unique perspective on equipment - in which the needs of the customer and their understanding of the gear they are buying, is given priority over fashion and marketing hype.
Gavin
A very experienced rockclimber, and a fantastic photographer (click here to visit his website), Gavin has made the Blue Mountains his home. Originally from Canberra (where he managed a large, successful outdoor store), Gavin manages the Katoomba store, and facilitates all Summit Gear Corporate Sales. With over 20 years experience in the outdoor industry, Gavin has an unsurpassed knowledge of outdoor equipment. Contact Gavin on (02) 4782 3018 to discuss equipment requirements for your organisation.
Senden
Senden is an incredibly gifted sculptor (Click here to check out his website). He has spent the last few years travelling the world, studying with other sculptors, and is now working from his studio in Katoomba. On the outdoors front, Senden is a great climber, and a very keen canyoner. Senden has a lot of experience in outdoor retail, gained in both Australia and abroad, and can offer great advice and information on gear requirements for your next trip.
Naomi
Naomi works at Summit Gear in between studying to be an outdoor guide at Blue Mountains TAFE, leading walks with Springwood Bushwalking Club, and training to drive stunt cars. She is off to find her ski legs this winter, so expect to see a fresh set of crutches around the store!
Henrik
Originally from Denmark, Henrik escaped the life of a Danish electrician to explore the world. He has travelled, trekked and climbed extensively on all continents, works as an expedition leader to the Antarctic and the High Arctic with Aurora Expeditions, and is an accredited Dive Master. Henrik is our adventure travel expert.
Ben
Just fits through the doors at Summit Gear, Ben is our 'go to' man, working upstairs in the factory with the iPod firmly planted in his ears. Ben moonlights as a chef at a reputable Katoomba restaurant. Seems to have given up climbing to focus on the good life, but once a climber, always a climber.
Kathy and Maritza
These are the people who make Summit Gear unique - individually crafting every product from high above Bathurst Rd. Kathy has worked with us since the beginning, and has the best veggie patch in the Mountains. Maritza adds a touch of Latin spice on wintery days and tries to keep Brett practising his Spanish.
Dan
Although now based in Melbourne and studying photography at RMIT, Dan still moonlights with us during holidays. Expect to see a lot of new photos and content on the Summit Gear website soon, thanks to Dan's skills with the camera.