ArmaSkin News November 2024

 

Inca Trail Machu Picchu  (Peru)

ArmaSkin fan, and endurance athlete, Shelly, shared her time travelling the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with her sister under the guidance of Alpaca Expeditions.

"I absolutely love telling everyone I can about ArmaSkin. I told all the hikers we were with! I even put a link on my website EndurewithShelly.com - is that ok for me to do? And I really liked Alpaca Expeditions, they did a lovely job, definitely recommend them. Their website is: AlpacaExpeditions.com 

I’m in heavy training mode now for my next ultra race in the Yukon in February, for sure will be posting more IG/TT/Fb reels bragging on my ArmaSkin socks protection!"

We will certainly be following  Shelly on the super challenging 640km Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra.

Camino Conclusion (France)

ArmaSkin Ambassador Helen and partner, RP,  have been enjoying their Camino over recent weeks.  But those serene trails have come to an end!

"Emotions were running a little high this morning. I couldn’t really believe it was our last day. I stood in the shadows of our Gite watching and listening to a French man play the traditional French Camino song on his harmonica, with the Pyrenees in the background. The sound drifting on the wind as the other pilgrims picked up their bags and batons and walked out the door. Some just going to SJPDP, others over the Pyrenees and some even onto Compostela.

It was like all our days folded into one as I had reminders all day of my journey. The Autumn trees with their leaves drifting in the breeze, the perfume of the wild mint as I placed my foot on the ground. A bumblebee flew past so close to my ear like a stealth bomber. The sound of the acorns as they crushed under foot. Even found some walnuts that had fallen.

RP the cow whisper mastering his new skill with the cats, horses and sheep. One last conversation with a farmer. Neither knowing what either was saying but both laughing and waving goodbye. I try to dodge the early morning cobwebs but they still find my face. The horses popping their heads over the fences to see who we are.

The butterflies that made a daily appearance, reminded me of my childhood, were flying around me today. Always in pairs. Not to be disappointed the yellow postal van again trying to run us down even made an appearance. Missed again. With only a few kilometres to go I look up and my beautiful birds of prey showing me the way to the end. The sound of a donkey in a far off paddock saying goodbye.

What an emotional journey, today has been, lots of memories that I will hold in my heart forever.  Larceveau- Saint Jean Pied de Port

You can see more of Helen's Camino travels on The Walking Traveller  Instagram page.  And to make the journey official, here's Helen with her completed Camino "passport"

Micro spikes: Your Go-To for Icy Winter Hikes

A recent post by ArmaSkin Ambassador Edin from his hike of Mt Colden showed him using micro spikes. Mt Colden is a mountain in the Adirondacks in the U.S. state of New York. It is the eleventh-highest peak in New York, with an elevation of 4,714 feet (1,437 m). While not a super high elevation. with the North American and European Winters promising to bring heavy snowfalls and icy times, we explore here micro spikes with input from Edin and fellow ArmaSkin Ambassadors Art and Alaina.

Winter hiking transforms landscapes into icy wonderlands, requiring careful consideration of footwear to ensure safety and enjoyment. Micro spikes are the perfect solution for many winter hikers, especially on well-maintained trails with icy patches. These compact, slip-on traction devices enhance grip on icy and packed snow surfaces, making them an excellent choice for less technical terrains.

What Are Micro spikes?
Microspikes are small spikes attached to a flexible harness, designed to be worn over your boots. They provide additional traction without the need for specialized skills, making them user-friendly and versatile. Ideal for winter hiking on trails where icy patches may pose a challenge, Microspikes are easy to put on and take off, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

When to Choose Micro spikes
Micro spikes are best suited for flat or gently sloping trails with icy patches. They offer the necessary traction without the complexity of more aggressive devices. If your winter adventure involves exploring areas with occasional icy spots but mostly flat terrain, Micro spikes are your go-to choice for stability and comfort.

Insights from ArmaSkin Ambassadors
Edin: Micro spikes are critical for icy and hard-packed snow trails to prevent slipping. They are mostly used on thin to moderately thick ice. However, for deeper ice or steep climbs, crampons should be used instead. For fresh, deep snow, snowshoes are more effective. It's also important to avoid using micro spikes on rocky trails to prevent damage and slipping.  After each use, micro spikes should be cleaned and thoroughly dried to prevent rust. Be cautious with lower-quality micro spikes, as they may rust quickly.

Art: "I frequently rely on micro spikes, especially in the morning when snow is hard and slick after freezing the night before. If there's snow and below-freezing temperatures, I always pack micro spikes. I usually wear Kahtoola micro spikes, but there are several other styles for walking and running, such as Yaktrax."

Other Options: Crampons and Snowshoes
While Micro spikes are great for many winter hikes, there are times when other traction devices are more suitable:
Alaina, another ArmaSkin Ambassador favours Crampons, but in her case that is because she is heavily into mountain climbing. "Essential for technical ice climbing and steep, icy terrains. Their aggressive spikes provide unmatched grip on hard ice, making them indispensable for serious mountaineering."
Snowshoes are a different option, ideal for deep snow and powdery conditions. They distribute your weight over a larger surface area, preventing you from sinking into the snow and making it easier to traverse deep drifts.

Conclusion
Choosing the right footwear for winter hiking depends on the specific conditions you'll encounter. Micro spikes offer a practical solution for icy trails, providing stability and ease of use. For more challenging conditions, consider Crampons or Snowshoes to ensure safety and enjoyment. Stay safe, and enjoy the beauty of winter with the right gear.
 

Three Capes Adventure (Tasmania Aus.)

ArmaSkin Ambassadors, Maddie and Tom, recently got back from a quick trip hiking the Three Capes in Tasmania!
 
"Typical Tassie weather with all four seasons in a day, and quite a few wildflowers to spot .

The walking isn’t too hard, and the track leads you along the tallest sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere. We were very excited to spot lots of pademelons, echidnas, and yellow-tailed black-cockatoos.
 
We also went on a sightseeing boat tour to get up close and personal with the seals and whales as well!
 
Whilst the trail is quite busy and developed, it’s certainly worth getting down to the Tasman Peninsula and checking it out "

Maddie and Tom's backyard is the Australian Alpine Walking Track. In fact they run tours for 7 or 14 days on the Track.  Here's a link if you'd like more information.

 

Recent ArmaSkin blog posts:

A few gift ideas for Aussie hikers as we come into the festive season.
https://www.armaskin.com/blogs/armaskin/three-super-gift-ideas-for-hikers-with-an-aussie-flavour

From the desert at the recent running of the torturous Marathon Des Sables we have a report from podiatrist and ArmaSkin UK reseller Lindsey Ebbs of  Blister Help

https://www.armaskin.com/blogs/armaskin/desert-ultra-running-a-podiatrists-journey-through-the-marathon-des-sables

 

Transylvania:  (Romania)

After following ArmaSkin Ambassador Chris and his partner Shannon on their Camino, we had the bonus treat of going to Romania with them where they headed to Transylvania.  Their visit there included spending Halloween at Bran Castle.

"This morning we hopped a bus and took the one hour ride to Bran Transylvania. Two 60 year old kids fulfilling a plan to be at Draculas castle on Halloween day. Set in the most picturesque location with the fall foliage in full color, the castle did not disappoint! We even managed to get the drone up for some nice video and pics. Happy Halloween to all our friends!"

Bran Castle, a medieval Fortress built in the 14th Century was Queen Marie of Romania's favourite residence.  Bran Castle is often associated with the fictional vampire Count Dracula. The Romanian castle resembles Castle Dracula, as described in Bram Stoker's novel Dracula (1897), in that both stand on rocky precipices and command spectacular views in Transylvania.

This edition's lead photo was taken from Chris's drone, and the marvellous autumn colours were captured from a window in the castle.

NYC Marathon    (USA)

ArmaSkin Ambassador Brad who some may recall underwent a knee operation earlier in the year didn't take long to return to his favourite pastime of endurance running.

Brad reported, "Excited to be running the 2024 NYC Marathon with Team ULTRA.   I am stoked to represent Michelob ULTRA and this team on race day.. Cheers & WAHOO to running 26.2 miles from Staten Island to Central Park with the best team in the world! First Marathon since knee surgery LFG"   

A big congratulations to Brad!

If you have big plans for 2025, how about dropping us a line telling us what you are doing (email ian@armaskin.com).

We'd love to be able to share your journey with the ArmaSkin community.

 

 

Attention ArmaSkin fans! Your stories and adventures are what make our products shine, and we want to hear from you! Share your experiences wearing ArmaSkin and you could win your very own pair of ArmaSkin liner socks!

Please email ian@armaskin.com with a picture of you on the move with an ArmaSkin product and a short comment about the picture. If your picture is featured in an upcoming edition of ArmaSkin News, you'll win the monthly prize!

This month's winner is Shelly who shared her Machu Picchu experience with us.

Don't miss your chance to show off your ArmaSkin gear and score this wonderful prize. So what are you waiting for? Get snapping and share your ArmaSkin story now!