Icebreaker - Pure Merino

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

Since relocating to Portland in 2001, I have been captivated by the lone-standing volcanic peak that towers above our city and its surrounding environs – much like the identical buildings that towered over my youth in New York City. In contrast, this single peak draws our community to the vast outdoors of arguably the most beautiful state of all 50, which provides a natural playground for hiking, biking, skiing, camping and climbing.

While each of the former activities have offered my family and our friends the gift of experiencing a meaningful intimacy with nature (in ways we never previously knew), ascending to the summit of Mount Hood, quite frankly, had hardly ever crossed my mind. But when the opportunity was presented to join my Icebreaker colleagues – Gabo, an ultra-experienced climber and mountain guide from the Czech Republic, and Craig, our Swiss-based, spirited Kiwi comrade – in a trek to the top of Oregon, the decision was easy.

Under Gabo’s exceptional stewardship and with Craig’s energetic strength and support, we successfully represented the world’s leading purveyor of sustainable Merino fiber clothing systems, ascending to the summit in approximately five hours.

Just prior to that event, after I already felt I had reached (and exceeded) my physical limit, Gabo looked down at me and put some of my prior personal accomplishments into perspective when he said, “triathlons are for kids”.  A bit of truth, perhaps.

One certainty, however, is that nothing is more empowering than working together with your mates in a tightly knit team, pushing one another to exceed personal and collective expectations, and doing so in nature, to boot.  Cheers to Icebreaker!…by the way, IB Skier+ Mids in Black/Oil/Silver for those of you scoring at home…

- Darren Glassman, Global General Manager Socks