Icebreaker - Pure Merino

The following is an update from one of our sponsored athletes, Lydia Bradley, on what she’s been up to this year. Lydia is a mountaineer, mountain guide and motivational speaker! Read more…

This year so far I’ve been to three Rock Islands in the world: an ancient rock in the middle of the Wimmera Plains, Victoria, Australia; Kalymnos, Greece in the Agean Sea; and Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Afrcia and the highest free standing mountain in the world.

Re-training, up-skilling, is the thing these days, and I wanted to re-begin to rock climb (again). So, whilst my partner Deano climbed Everest for the 7th time I slipped away to the ancient of Mt Arapiles. Over decades, this beautiful orange rock has become a world destination for traditional rock climbing, famous for overhanging multi-pitch routes at almost every grade.

The next Rock Island was exotic, and truly an island. Kalymnos is Greek island near the Turkish that has developed into a sport climbing destination non par. All over the island are cliffs ranging from 30m to 250m of climbing, and rock that varies from white quartz seacliffs, to pocketed limestone, hanging tufas (stalagtites), deep orange walls and fearsomely sharp gouttes d’eau (water pockets). The Kalymnians have committed to creating the safest rock climbing destination in the world, and every little studio apartment and every restaurant hang pictures of climbers. It is so incredibly welcoming. The island absolutely hums with climbers, half of them women, many people climbing well into their 60s and even 70s, and lots of couples with children (and they are climbing too). Climbers zip around on scooters to the further crags. In the afternoons when it is too hot to climb, the beaches and little beach cafes around the island sport the greatest number of six-packs ever to be seen on a European coastline – and certainly not all on the men!

One of the best rock climbing holidays ever, bikini tanning, muscle building, wine drinking…slipping into the Icebreaker Zephyr Hood only to protect from the wind on the local ferries island hopping.

I returned from Greece to New Zealand to speak at the Mountain Film Festival in Wanaka, and just five days later flew to Tanzania.

Both Dean and I guided on different expeditions with two families up Mt Kilimanjaro, 5895m, the highest mountain in Africa, and the fourth highest of the Seven Summits. We climbed the peak over 7 days travelling through rocky moonscapes and camping under the Dr Seuss–like Senecia trees. My team, Ashley and his son Findlay Heppenstall, were fully into the local singing passion, and on summit day, starting in the dark, we sang all the way to the summit! The sun rose as we stood there on the summit, taking in the beauty of that ancient mountain.

- Lydia Bradey – Mountaineer, Mountain Guide and Motivational Speaker

Sylvie Fréchette, is one of Canada’s legendary athletes. She spends her time aspiring to new heights, literally, climbing the mountains of the world, such as Mt. Everest in Nepal and Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. We are proud to have been able to join Sylvie as she takes Icebreaker with her on her journeys!

“I purchased my first Icebreaker piece in 2005. I was looking for a good looking and comfortable garment that I could wear for all the sports I love. I can also say that to date, I have never regretted my investment!

Since then, I have worn my Icebreaker in all sorts of conditions and in many countries. I have trekked across mountains in 6 of the 7 continents: Asia (Everest, Nepal), Africa (Kilimanjaro,Tanzania), Europe (Elbrus, Russia), South America (Aconcagua, Argentina as well as Pisco and Alpamayo, Peru), North America and Oceania (Mountain skills semester in Canada and New Zealand).

I was comfortable at all times in all types of extreme weather. Icebreaker got me through times when it was very cold as I made the summit of Everest (8,850m). It supported me in the Khumbu Icefall where, at 1pm in the afternoon, the reflection of the sun on the ice left us in conditions of intense heat! Today, when I use my Icebreaker that I had on while I was there on the top of the world, I am filled with nostalgia and a sense of thrill. I now feel a sense of complete confidence in the product knowing that I own the right equipment that has proven its performance over and over again.

In the mountains, moisture is enemy number one and must always try to be avoided. For myself, being able to preserve my body heat while possibly having on damp garments is a must. Some other key factors I try to maintain; saving as much of my energy as possible and minimizing weight in my backpack. Knowing this, it becomes crucial to carefully choose the items I bring. And I can honestly say that Icebreaker has met all of these needs for me and has yet to let me down! One last note, that I find equally comforting and important; even after several days of expedition, despite harsh conditions and all odds, I know and can take comfort in the fact that I will not be releasing any unpleasant odors! What more could I ask for?!”

- Sylvie Fréchette, Icebreaker Fan & Alpinist

Traveling overseas for work is always a long journey.  I try to always add some extra time at the end of my work trips to experience the country I’m in.  Last year along with fellow workmates, I climbed Mt. Hood in Oregon with Darren and Craig, skied with Heidi at Mt Ruapehu, and hiked Mt. Helene’s with David.  But, the real mountain event was still missing…

New Zealand is the country of my dreams.  Especially the South Island and the Southern Alps as it is a region which offers it all in one (mountains, wild nature, the ocean, great people, wine, and good food).   In my previous trips I visited NZ in winter times only.  I did some mountain biking and hiking with Max, skiing with Heidi, but no mountaineering.  As mountain guide, I decided I would really like to experience climbing in Southern Alps.

When a meeting was set in New Zealand for March, it was clear that finally the chance was here for me.  Even though March is end of the climbing season in the Southern Alps, it was still a good chance to do some mountaineering.  Firstly I tried to find a climbing partner (or partners) within Icebreaker, but everybody had something else to do.  I decided to contact the famous guide organisation Adventure Consultants in Wanaka.  They offered me the possibility to join one of their expeditions.  Before I arrived in NZ, it was not really clear exactly what we would be doing, but all looked promising.

During my stay in Wanaka for work, I got a very positive message from Adventure Consultants “one client has booked a climbing trip to Mt. Aspiring and you can join the trip as a second (shadow) guide.”  This was wonderful news.  I spent a fantastic 5 days climbing Mt. Aspiring and Rolling Pin (small summit beside Mt. Aspiring).  We had great view from the summit of Mt. Aspiring and it took us 2 days in heavy rain to get back to the civilisation.

Now looking back I can say it was definitely one of my best times from working perspective.  And I was lucky to add some extras as usual. (Sea-kayaking, racing in the Mototapu challenge, and climbing the summit of Mt. Aspiring).

Branislav Adamec (Gabo) – General Manager, Icebreaker Eastern Europe