Marmot honors John Bragg
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On November 7, 2007, Marmot Mountain LLC of Santa Rosa, Ca gave out it’s first Lifetime Achievement Award to Exum Guide and Marmot Sales Rep John Bragg. John is one of Marmot’s first and longest-running sales reps since they started in 1974. The award was given to him on the account of his overwhelming dedication to the brand and his love of the climbing lifestyle. He is responsible for some highly notable first ascents, such as Torre Egger (VI 5.9 A4) in 1976; first alpine-style ascent of the West Face of Cerro Torre in 1978; first ascent of Gravity’s Rainbow (5.12c); first ascent of Iron Cross (5.12d); first ascent of Cinch Crack (5.12); and many more.

The award plaque was a sign that hung over Bragg's last Base Camp in Patagonia that read “Campo Bragg.” That trip was so rigorous that John didn’t want to keep the sign. He left it behind. Little did he know that other members of the expedition kept the sign to give it back to him at a later date. When Marmot contacted the expedition members for ideas on how to honor Bragg, the sign was the result. At one point, Bragg asked nearby town's people if they still had the sign. They told him that they had done as they asked and burned it. I was great to see the look on his face when he realized the sign wasn’t destroyed.