Icebreaker - Pure Merino

Here I am on my ‘special’ sheepskin when I was two.   It was called ‘Lammie’.  I loved it so much I ate it, almost all of it, over the course of a year as my teeth came in.  I’m sure it’s why I have strong teeth.

Heavy petting graduated to true love when I met my first merino.   My first merino encounter, when I was six, made me realize what a half-wit Lammie was in comparison.  A fluffy slipper compared to a real beast, this sheep was magnificent.  Horns like a bull, and an attitude to match.  And a farmer who still fed it using a bottle.

Eighteen years later I started Icebreaker, and later than that I’m now a dad, with three lovely daughters of my own.  I try and open their minds to new places, people, and nature – any of which may one day, change their life in subtle yet profound ways.  They each got their own Lammie when they were born.

- Jeremy Moon, Founder and CEO Icebreaker

The Tararua forest looms (literally) on my doorstep, and is one of several mountain ranges in the North Island of New Zealand which form a ridge running parallel with the east coast of the island between East Cape and Wellington.

Bringing in the new year discovering another hidden wonder of our country was exhilarating.  Tramping through lichen covered ancient forest at 4000 feet, and trying to withstand the powerful southerlies our wee country has to offer was just a few highlights of the trip.

My next challenge has already been put to me – to get a deeper understanding of this forest; what new challenge will you be taking on this year to open your mind to the wonderment of nature?

-          Jeremy Moon, Founder & CEO – Icebreaker

Hi Team Icebreaker,

In September last year we were the recipients of some Icebreaker garments from your “Share the Love” initiative.  “Share the Love” gives Icebreaker to people who are making a difference to nature and to each other.  We took our two new merino garments to the Californian High Sierra on a 300km long expedition following the ridge of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Our aim was to use the trip as a vehicle to explore and communicate (through an educational package we designed) the many branches of science that can be experienced when spending time in nature.   Both of us have spent years working in New Zealand’s wild places and both feel a strong connection to the physical environment around us.  The dream of creating an educational package where participants learn in a multi disciplinary way while undertaking an expedition was the real nuts and bolts of our trip.

We wanted to say a big thank you for providing the most dependable garment of our wardrobes!  We stayed warm, cosy and happy throughout the trip and especially appreciated the fantastic warmth to weight ratio of our tops.

We have attached some photos from our trip showing the garments in action.

Thanks again for supporting our adventure.

- Andy Clifford and Ness Smith