Icebreaker - Pure Merino

Back in June this year 3 groups of Icebreaker retailers were lucky enough to spend some time with the Todhunters at Lake Heron Station – inland from South Canterbury in New Zealand’s Southern Alps.    I posted a blog after that trip, and you can read it here to refresh your memory.

I’ve kept in touch with Anne and Philip since then, and it’s been a pretty amazing Winter for them.  Philip has been winging around in Helicopters dropping skiers off at some incredible locations, with some great snow, and I got this note from Anne recently:

“Such a beautiful day here that I thought I’d post this shot out to you. This is looking back to the homestead area. A chilly -12C here last night. Just as the weather was starting to warm up, we had a southerly blast through, dumping 20cm of new snow around the house and plenty more in the mountains. Philip and the crew were off heliskiing as soon as the weather cleared and they are off enjoying some primo snow again today.

Meanwhile, the farm keeps ticking along with stock being fed and the blade shearing gang due in a couple of weeks to shear the ewes before lambing. Shearing with blades (like scissors) leaves much more wool on than electric shears so the sheep still keep warm through late winter and spring.”

So their life continues, embracing the weather in all its raw power. They have recently had a short video made showing the station, and the walks that run through their property over the Summer months.  Check it out here: Lake Heron Station.

Whilst technically it’s spring (past the 1^st of September), the Southern Alps of NZ are reluctant to pay attention to the calendar, still being given Winters harshest treatment.   What a sublime place to demonstrate the Icebreaker story of Born in the Mountains, Worn in the Mountains.

Jem Culpitt – Sales Manager, Icebreaker New Zealand

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

Our South-East Australian Account Manager Aleisha recently ran a competition for her sales reps to win a unique Icebreaker Bag.  They had to show proof of their ‘Icebreaker love’ in a creative way.  Check out this winning poem from Alicia, we totally think she deserves to win a bag!

Icebreaker makes the best merino wool garments ever,
Cool in summer, warm in winter, thermo-regulating you in any weather.
Environmental and social ethics are key to the Icebreaker brand,
Born in the Southern Alps in New Zealand but worn in every land.
Run, hike, climb, kayak, cave, ski; no activity is too great for Icebreaker.
Easy to wear, easy to look at; Icebreaker really is a trend-maker.
Accessories such as gloves, beanies, scarves and socks,
Keep your fingers and toes as warm as your core and jocks.
Estatic I am, to be itch and stink-free,
Really it’s true, Icebreaker is perfect for you and me!!!