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
