Icebreaker - Pure Merino

Justin Lichter, aka Trauma, is an ultrahiker which means he hikes thousands of miles every year putting himself and his gear to the test every time. Justin has taken some time out recently to work on sharing some his knowledge, tips and advice in a new book. He updated us recently on how it’s been going…

It has been a long road and a lot of work, almost harder than any long distance adventure that I have ever undertaken. I am pleased to announce that my book has finally been passed off to the printer. It will be hot off the press and ready in about 2 weeks.

Trail Tested: A Thru-hiker’s Insights Into Hiking and Backpacking will be ready and on the shelves by the beginning of May. I look forward to giving back and making it easier and more enjoyable for people to get outdoors and go backpacking. I have hiked over 35,000 miles in the past 10 years and have learned countless lessons along the way. I share all of the knowledge, tips, advice, and thoughts that I have picked up, one example (not to shamelessly plug Icebreaker!) being why merino wool performs so well and is the best for any outdoor activity. I have included a sneak peak of one of the pages on hiking clothes for you to see.

I hope you are all as excited about the book as I am. I can’t wait to hold the printed copy in my arms and flip through it, partly because it feels like the culmination of a big project, but mostly because I look forward to helping people – and most of all so I can finally shut off my computer and go hiking again!

Justin Lichter – Ultrahiker

Justin will be making stops at some of our US TouchLabs to promote his book – more details coming soon.  For more information on Justin’s amazing adventures, check out his website: www.justinlichter.com

Our special thanks to Tararua Tramping Club for sharing some invaluable hiking/tramping tips for those who are just getting started or those who just need some reminders.

1. Planning is everything. Know where you are going to go; get the maps, and also work out plan B in case the weather packs up.
2. The group on the tramp is of the utmost importance. You can only go as far and as fast as your weakest member, so select your group well.
3. If you are going on-track take a map. If you are going off-track you also need a compass and these days a GPS is also useful.
4. Always take a set of dry clothes to put on when you get to the hut/set up camp. Do not be tempted to put your dry clothes on the next day if the track clothes are wet. Wear the wet ones; you will soon warm up when you are walking.
5. In the New Zealand bush (and most other countries as well) boots will get wet. Get over it! Put them on the next morning, walk quickly and your feet will soon warm up.
6. Avoid wearing any cotton when tramping, particularly jeans. Instead wear wool, polypropylene or fleece*.
7. Your boots and raincoat are the most important items when you tramp. Make sure the first are comfortable and the latter is waterproof.
8. Your most important accessories are your hat and gloves (wool* is best); you can use them to manipulate how warm you feel.
9. Packet soups sachets make a wonderful treat when you first get to a hut, warming one up and replacing lost salt.
10. It always pays to take a thermarest or equivalent; you never know when you might get to a hut and find it full. There is always room on the floor.
11. Join a tramping club; it will enhance your ability to go and enjoy a whole variety of outdoor experiences within New Zealand or Australia. They also have bushcraft, navigation, leadership and alpine instruction courses.

*Editors note – Icebreaker merino wool is obviously best – please remember that polyproplyene and fleece are synthetic and ultimately stink!

Some useful links
http://www.fmc.org.nz/
http://www.ttc.org.nz/
http://www.mountainsafety.org.nz/Safety-Tips/Seven-Rules-of-Tramping.asp
http://www.trampingnz.com/index.php?pageid=tramping_tips
http://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/
http://www.adventuresmart.org.nz/
http://www.bushwalkingaustralia.org/
http://www.aussiehiking.com.au/

“I just completed an unsupported trekking traverse of the Himalayas this past week.  The hike was over 2,600 kilometers and a whole lot of elevation gain and loss, at least the equivalent of summiting Mt. Everest over 20 times. I hiked from the easternmost 8,000 meter peak to the westernmost 8,000 meter peak averaging about 40km per day and hiking for the past three months.

Thanks to Icebreaker merino I  was able to wear the same baselayers for the entire trip only washing them out in creeks and rivers, never even using soap!  Three months, 10-15 hour hiking days through hot and humid and cold and snowy, and using only 2 shirts and 1 pair of boxers!”

- Justin Lichter, Icebreaker Athlete