Rocky end to NWP attempt (Alaska USA)

For the last couple of months we've been following ArmaSkin Ambassador Art's participation in an attempt to row the North West Passage.

Breaking News is that after facing relentless choppy seas and wind, around August 29, the Hermione was anchored offshore when a catastrophe struck.

The anchor broke and the Hermione was taken towards a rocky, relatively unprotected beach . Adding to the drama, the emergency motor failed.

There was no option but to "beach" the Hermione. Through repetitive waves crushing Hermione against the rocky beach a hole about "3 and a half feet long"  developed in the hull. 

After considering options the crew made some rough repairs using tightly tied waterproof pads. When the weather improved the crew gallantly rowed towards Paulatuk while continuously bailing out water. It took about 17 days to cover the 300km. Considering a normal days rowing would be around 50-100km per day it is clear the crew was on struggle street!  Also notably, the tracking beacon was set to report their position every 30 minutes rather than every 6 hours, a telling sign that the crew was concerned. 

After reaching Paulatuk they hoped to determine a more permanent repair strategy but the significance of the damage was such that a repair was not considered feasible given the remoteness of the location as well as the diminishing time before seasonal weather changes would turn future rowing into super hazardous conditions..

With deep regret the Team had little option but to end its 2024 attempt.

More reports are available on their Instagram page
https://www.instagram.com/p/C__A-xztFjy/ 
There is also a link to the tracking map.

The main upsides for now are that the crew are all safe, the Hermione has been safely warehoused and the local community has been provided with about 300 freeze dried meals courtesy of OTTR Inc who provided a major sponsorship for the Expedition.

Dolomites Delights (Italy)

ArmaSkin fan Lena has just spent an exquisite three weeks on an Italian hiking holiday in the Dolomites.

The Dolomites lie in the most northern regions of Italy, Veneto, Trentino Alto-Adige, and Friuli Venezia Giulia. The Dolomites are part of the provinces of Belluno, Bolzano, Trento, Udine, and Pordenone.

Lena didn't hesitate to say, "I will definitely be back to hike more of this magical place. The Refugio hut to hut experience was excellent."

 

 

Camino Via Gebennensis (Switzerland - France)

The starting point of ArmaSkin Ambassador Chris and partner Shannon's Via Gebennensis Camino was at St Pierre Cathedral in Geneva Switzerland. From there they hiked 350 kilometres west to Le Puy En Valey France.

Daily hikes were in the mid 20km range.  Day 8. Via Vebennensis. "was 30km and it hailed on us!!!" 

The pictures speak for themselves, "Mountain top chapels, apple orchards, grape vines, harvesting grapes, donkeys and horses and the scenery. Plus one great ascent and descent at the end of the day."

"The walk from Saint Julien Molin Molette to Les Setoux. Distance was around 26k. Beautiful walk through a few towns and ending with about 8k over a mountain"

The artistic lead News photo is also from Chris.

Mount Kailash  (Tibet)

ArmaSkin blister prevention fan Vijay made sure that we knew he chose ArmaSkin for his hiking adventure in Tibet.

The journey saw him circumnavigating Mount Kailash.  Apparently no one is allowed to scale the mountain. The region itself is nevertheless at high altitude (18,500ft)

Mt. Kailash, the striking peak stands in the remote south-west corner of Tibet in the Himalayan Mountains. Rising at an elevation of 6638 m (21778 ft) it is one of the highest parts of the Himalayas and serves as a source of some of the longest rivers in Asia.

Lake of the Clouds (USA)

ArmaSkin Ambassador Edin took us to Lakes of the Clouds, nestled between Mt. Washington and Mt. Monroe in New Hampshire's White Mountains, is a breathtaking alpine oasis. These small glacial ponds sit at around 5,000 feet, providing hikers with a serene rest point amidst rugged terrain.

The Lakes of the Clouds Hut is nearby, offering stunning views and shelter for adventurers.

The location is a gateway to the summit of Mt. Washington, blending high-altitude beauty with panoramic views of the Presidential Range, making it a must-visit spot for nature lovers and hikers.

Flipping fires!   (Wyoming -  Montana USA)

ArmaSkin Ambassador Erick had crossed into Wyoming on his Continental Divide Trail NOBO thru hike. But there's a change of plans. 

Due to fires on the track ahead Erick has flipped his thruhike.  Flipping is where you jump ahead to complete a section and then come back later to complete the section you jumped over.

Getting to Montana was a bit of a challenge since hitchhiking is against the law in Wyoming, but Erick's broad smile worked a treat.

He has now started from Beaut Montana.

You can see regular and highly entertaining Erick's videos on youtube DogFoot Trailing   PS please make sure you subscribe to his Youtube channel coz we are keen to see him hit 1000 subscribers (currently 911).

Flinders Ranges (Australia)

A welcome message from ArmaSkin fan Michele.

"On our recent trip to the gorgeous Flinders Ranges 3 things I needed - my fly net (pesky bush fly prevention), my walking pole (as I became a one-armed bandit due to a nasty fall), and my trusty Armaskins. I have enjoyed using the toe socks (never expected to be a fan) as I find they help prevent my toes rubbing together in the warmer weather. (…And even manage to get them on with one hand!)
Many thanks for your great product.
Kind regards
Michele"

Rolling thru Aubrac Plateau (France)

ArmaSkin Ambassador Helen is enjoying a hiking adventure in the Aubrac Plateau region of France .

To follow her journey you can do so on her Instagram The Walking Traveller 

Here's just one extract from her descriptive reporting, "Oh what a fabulous day's walking today. The trail was wonderful. We walked on minor roads, dirt tracks and very narrow trails. The very narrow trail edge by Cyprus trees and tall grasses with seed pods waving in the breeze.
Even though the trail had some up and downs our feet and legs loved it.
We started with sun trying to peep through the clouds and saw many other pilgrims on the trail. The mood was very joyful and RP in fine form talking to French, Belgiums and one Aussie girl from Brisbane.
We followed the trail past pine forest, tiny villages before reaching up to the start of the Aubrac plateau, known for its extraordinary beef cattle.
Oh, how I loved walking through here. It was wild, the dark clouds threatening rain all afternoon, the black clouds surrounded us. The wind was so strong I had my hood of my jacket pulled down around my ears and the zipper done up under my chin. as it pushed us forward. I loved it, how I think any remote area should be walked, wild!"

Recent ArmaSkin blog posts:

Continental Divide Trail

ArmaSkin Ambassador Kimberly recently completed the Montana leg of the Continental Divide Trail.

Kimberly was blown away by the quality of this Trail,  "It was truly the trip of a lifetime. Definitely one for the books!"

Torture testing ArmaSkin 3000km in 54 days.
ArmaSkin Ambassadors Maddie and Tom published a review of ArmaSkin from their recent Fastest Known Time for thru hiking the Te Araroa Trail.  Included is their trick for coping with swollen feet.

AND, if you have big plans for 2024 or 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.

DO YOU WANT TO BE A WINNER?

MONTHLY opportunity to win FREE ArmaSkin -

please share your picture stories with us.

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!

It's been a busy month, so we have multiple winners; Michele, our one arm hiker, Vijay for taking ArmaSkin to Tibet and Lena for sharing her Dolomites 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! 

 

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