Columbia's search for new directors of toughness elicited more than a thousand responses

More than 1,000 adventurous outdoor enthusiasts applied for an arduous job with a top brand.

Columbia said its process for applications for the post of director of toughness is now closed.

The job entails embarking on a nine-month adventure around the world to test Columbia’s range of performance products in the most extreme conditions.

The Oregon-based company said the application rate from UK would-be testers was faster than from any other location, including Canada and North America. Those chosen for the shortlist will be invited to an interview on the Isle of Skye.

Antti Karava, Columbia Sportswear International director of marketing for Europe, the Middle East and Asia, said: “As a company full of outdoor enthusiasts, it’s comforting to discover that such a vast amount of people see their dream job being one in which they can travel and explore the great outdoors.”

Columbia’s human resources department now has the task of reviewing each applicant’s CV before contacting 20 finalists who’ll be invited to join them for the final interview session on the Hebridean island.

Columbia’s inaugural directors of toughness, Lauren Steele and Zach Doleac, selected from thousands of applicants, spent six months traveling the globe, venturing up snow-capped Mount Hood and training with Olympic gold medallists.

The scheme has been extended to nine months for the next successful directors.

Two final applicants picked from four casting calls, two in the USA, one in Canada and one in the UK will be announced in the coming weeks.

Columbia said its directors of toughness serve as full-time beta testers, brand ambassadors and social media gurus. “They work to ensure Columbia clothing and gear keep people warm, dry, cool and protected in any weather” it added.