February 5, 2016 – North Carolina based small manufacturer Misty Mountain Threadworks, Inc. announced that it has entered into a partnership with Australian based military and tactical distributor Southern Cross Equipment PTY LTD of New South Wales, Australia to supply the Australian Department of Defence with Misty Mountain’s ISH harness.
Misty Mountain and Southern Cross have been working together for three years to develop the market for ISH and other Misty Mountain harnesses in Australia and New Zealand. Their first meeting was at the biannual Outdoor Retailer Trade Show in held in Salt Lake City, UT. Spencer McDonald of Southern Cross stopped at the Misty Mountain booth manned by Operations Manager Mike Lavarnway and President Goose Kearse. Spencer’s eye was caught by the Integrated Stealth Harness, a scalable personal protection system with belt, leg loops, and chest harness. ISH was designed and developed in conjunction with retired USAF PJ Ish Antonio and is the harness solution for USSOCOM’s TCCC CASEVAC Kit.
Spencer seeded key operators in the ADF with Misty Mountain harnesses and gear. He took in their feedback and helped Misty Mountain develop custom solutions as needed to best meet the Australian requirements. As a result of the Australian commandos’ evaluation of the ISH system they have selected the ISH Original Belt, Leg Loops, and Chest Harness for their personal protective harness. The ISH Sit Kit formed by the ISH Original Belt and Leg Loops and the ISH Chest harness all carry the UIAA Safety Label. For more information about ISH or any other of Misty Mountain’s climbing gear please visit www.mistymountain.com. Misty Mountain’s military and tactical gear is made in the USA and Berry Amendment Compliant. In Australia and New Zealand, Southern Cross is the exclusive distributor of Misty Mountain gear. Please find them at www.southerncross.net.au.