Karsten Delap staying cool in ibex wool.  Tai Chi 6b+, Calpe, Spain

First of all, one billion sheep (worldwide census, circa 2011) can’t be wrong. Come summer, sheep around the world shed their heavy wool for a lighter-weight variety. The average sheep only lives about 10 years – they’re not going to spend five of those uncomfortable.

But we’re not resting on our laurels for this one. We’ve collected the top five reasons – from history to culture to science to comfort - to sport Merino wool this summer.

Reason #5: An 18.5-micron Merino is just as soft as your favorite well-worn, cotton T-shirt. In the textile world, we call the “feel” of the fabric, the “hand.” Check out: Ibex U-Sixty T (men’s and women’s).

Good to note that Ibex also makes Merino base layers and tops in the staggeringly low 17.5-micron range.

Reason #4: Wool looks damn good! Okay, this may be a touch subjective, but a wool weave adds that certain “je ne sais quoi” to the sophistication of a silhouette. Men know this from selecting a high quality suit. Women know this from formal clothes to T-shirts. The drape of wool takes an ordinary staple item  and makes it extraordinary.

Reason #3: Let’s talk lanolin. Perhaps you’ve heard that wool has antibacterial qualities, meaning that it manages odor far better than synthetics and other natural fibers? It’s all because of lanolin. Lanolin is a natural, oily wax emitted by sheep’s skin. On the sheep it serves as their personal DWR (durable water repellent) and helps to prevent skin infection. Most of the lanolin is washed from the wool during processing. However, just enough remains to prevent mildew and bacteria from building up in your summer running clothes. You in wool = you, less stinky.

Reason #2: The Bedouins of the Middle Eastern deserts and the Tuaregs of the great North African deserts. Yes, you read that correctly. For hundreds of years, these nomadic people have chosen wool for their treks across some of the hottest lands on Earth. Wool is well-known for it’s superior insulation, but few people realize it works both ways. To keep the heat out and the sun off your skin, it’s best to choose a looser fitting wool garment, like the Bedouin “thobe” or the Ibex Seventeen.5 Nelson (or the Seventeen.5 Chelsea for women).

Reason #1: You love the planet. Merino wool is an excellent temperature moderator, retains very little odor, looks great and is soft as a baby’s… cheek. If those reasons aren’t enough to sway you that Ibex Merino wool should be your summertime staple, think about our orb. Wool is a sustainable, natural and 100% biodegradable and compostable fiber. Wool will far outlast most synthetic fibers due to its unique “crimped” structure. But even when it comes time to say “goodbye” to your well-loved woolies, you can rest assured it’s only natural fiber going back to the natural world.

Stay cool, friends.

Love,

Ibex

May is Bike Monthand Ibex took the reigns of the West Coast celebration last week with the inaugural “Wheel and Wool Bike Party.”

According to Jenny Demetrio, our irrepressible Seattle retail manager, “It was a smashing success! The house was full all day – especially with families and those looking to ride in style this spring.

Yes, for one glorious day, we tempted Seattle-ites with 20 percent off the entire Ibex “Ride” line, but this was more than a sale. This was 360-degree celebration of bikes, of Seattle and of the people and business that make up the community. That is how we do things.

Supporting other local businesses, the Ibex Seattle store was stocked with the Pacific Northwest’s favorite foods and goods. There was a raffle for a gift certificate to Second Ascent (a killer outdoor gear shop in Ballard), gear from Swift Industries (locally made, custom panniers) and Ibex cycling jerseys (naturally). Plus, the geniuses behind Monsoon Bamboo Bicycles were on hand to indulge everyone’s inner bike geek.

“We LOVED joining forces with Swift Industries and Monsoon,” said Jenny.  “Also, a local and loyal Ibex retailer, Second Ascent, generously donated a gift certificate as raffle prize. They all rocked the house and pulled the biking community together. It’s always a pleasure to collaborate and share a love of wool and biking!”

The name of the party said it all; here’s to “Wheels and Wool.” We kicked off Bike Month with a bang. Now let’s all get on our bikes to roll it on through the rest of May… and beyond.

Happy Bike Month!

If you’re in Seattle or on Facebook, please check out:

• The Seattle Ibex store in University Village (or on Facebook)
• Monsoon Bamboo Bicycles (or on Facebook)
• Second Ascent (or on Facebook)
• Swift Industries (or on Facebook)

Dawn arrives: a perverse, grey tingle.  Dog tracks mix with blood in the snow.  A distinct smell of fire.  We must be back in Alaska.

Waiting is a game I’ve become good at in Talkeetna.  From here all the planes fly, usually to Denali.  We’re going somewhere new though.  A map, a compass, pounds of climbing gear, a vague idea of a new route.

Mount Deborah has not been climbed often.  The last significant route was completed in 1981; before Elliot Gaddy and I were born.  Bayard Russell was a toddler.  Now, we all live in Northern New Hampshire, and for a year we’ve had this crazy idea: to climb a new route, traverse a mile and a half of deadly ridgeline, and descend the opposite side.  It will be the most difficult climb any of us have ever done.

Paul loads the plane on the third day of waiting, and we float over caribou tracks ending in tiny dots.  There are other brushstrokes of wildlife across the tundra but as the plane banks towards the Deborah we are utterly alone.

“That’s the way to ski out if I can’t pick you up and you get stuck,” says Paul as he starts levering down the skis on the single-engine Beaver.  “It’s forty miles to the road.  Someone might be snowmobiling it.”

It is cold.  The face broods above us, a shriek of granite wrenched out of the earth.  It is surrounded by feet of snow.  We start skiing, and watching.  We prod the glacier, nervous at first.  These things can’t be rushed.  Elliot falls 15 feet into a crevasse with his skis on. 

The first three days it is just warm enough to ski in our indie hoodies, and then the temperature drops, -20’s, -30’s, -40’s.  What is happening in the outside world?  We dig into the snow, hunker down, wait.  A storm pins us for five whole days.  Snow collects on our tents.  Our backs ache from living in our sleeping bags, we feel strength leaving our bodies.  On the sixth day the clouds slip away.  We sprint up to our camp below the face.  The cold is intense.  We wonder what it will be like to climb.  We may lose fingers and toes.  I try not to play games with myself at four in the morning.

Small steps.  Get out of the sleeping bag.  Get your boots on.  Drink, drink drink.  Get ready to climb.

For every five minutes of skinning with our climbing packs on, we take five to do jumping jacks.  We are wearing all our clothes.  Bayard turns around, gives us his rope, and says he’s going to get warm.  Elliot is shrouded by layers.  He wants to keep going.  We keep skiing.  C’mon Deborah!  Let us climb!

I cannot feel my feet.  My hands are starting to go.  This is getting dangerous…

             “Elliot.”

            “Yo!”

            “I’m calling it.”

            “Yeah?”

            “This is suicide.”

            A pause.

            “Yeah.”

            “Sorry.”

We turn around and realize there is no reason to continue living in this frozen world.  The plane lands that day; we limp back to Talkeetna.  Sometimes, surviving is enough.  Back in New England, we climb in t-shirts.  It is spring, but despite myself, I cannot help thinking about Mount Deborah.  I know we’ll be back.

Words & Photos by: Michael Wejchert

Follow Michael’s adventures here: http://www.farnorthclimbing.blogspot.com/

First Ascent of #tall V9, Joe’s Valley, Utah

Photo: Matt Irving

In this guest post, Ibex-sponsored athlete Griffin Whiteside reviews some Ibex gear after punishing it for a few months on rock, at school and around town. Check out Griffin’s profile on 27crags.com, or do a vimeo search to live vicariously for a few minutes. Read on for Griffin’s take on the Ibex Tuck Pant, Hoodie Indie, and the Merino Logo T.

After the Winter Outdoor Retailer Show, I had the opportunity to test several Ibex staple products, plus some newer additions to their line. The Tuck Pant and Hooded Indie were by far my favorites.

Ibex Tuck Pant: The Tuck Pant is exactly what every climber and outdoor enthusiast needs. Every pant I have owned prior hasn’t been able to collectively solve the problems of: durability, mobility, and warmth. The Tuck Pant solves all three. When used for climbing, pants from climbing [companies] or other outdoor clothing companies have all become shredded in their short lives.

The Tuck Pants are built to last. They provide a worry-free feeling when hiking or just scurrying around. Obviously, you can use heavy-duty pants when climbing or being in the outdoors, but no one wants to feel like they are in a straight jacket when doing so. Again, the Tuck Pant provides the solution.

They provide full range of motion while performing any activity. Bonus: the Tuck Pant is a perfect solution to layering up in the winter months. I have found no need for long underwear in well below freezing temperatures while using this pant.

On a quick side-note, for those who happen to have long legs, the Tuck Pant is a must. No more endless and unsuccessful searches for pants - these pants are your solution!

First Ascent of the Last Great One V13/14, Joe’s Valley, Utah

Shown here: Hooded Indie (India Orange) and Tuck Pant (Black)

Photo: Anthony Chertudi

Ibex Hooded Indie: The Hooded Indie is perfect for any physical activity. It provides a slim fit, maximum mobility, comfort, and plenty of warmth. This was my go-to choice for all of my winter climbing. As it’s been warming up quickly around Salt Lake City, I have been able to test the Hooded Indie in a variety of temperatures. This light and mobile sweatshirt seems to effectively regulate cold and warm temperatures.

As the warmer months have been creeping in here around Utah, I have quickly learned that spring simply does not exist here. One weekend it’s below freezing and snows a foot. The next it’s endless sun and 70-degrees. Despite this severe inconsistency and my over-dramatic, pre-teen tendencies, Ibex Merino wool manages to regulate both with ease.

While most of the Ibex clothing I’ve tested (thus far) has been primarily in winter weather use, it performs just as well as the temperature warms. This wool has superior wicking abilities that fight off odor – which is bound to develop as this so-called “spring” ends. Once again, the Hooded Indie performs above expectations: it is a perfect light sweatshirt for all warm weather pursuits.

Merino Logo T: Quick note on the Merino Logo T. It’s a T-shirt, with a simple design that I frequently use and would choose over any other shirt for warm weather climbing.

- Griffin Whiteside

First Ascent of Superman V10, Joe’s Valley, Utah

Photo: Matt Irving

First Ascent of Mod Bod V11, St. George, Utah

Shown Here: Merino Logo T (Meadow)

Photo: Laura Kisana        

Being mindful of the waste we generate isn’t unusual, but stopping at nothing to minimize the negative effects of our trash and recyclables shows a little bit of our company’s obsessive nature. Our partner in (admittedly obsessive compulsive) trash-related crime, Poly Recovery, often claims to be pioneers in sustainable recycling. Though that sounds great, the truth is that whenever you see the words “sustainable” and “recycling” next to each other, our greenwash-meter would tend to go off the charts. Fortunately for Ibex and all of their other clients, Poly Recoveryis the real deal.

sus·tain·ablere·cy·cling

/səˈstānəbəl//(ˌ)rē-ˈsī-kəl-eng/

1.    Environmental Conscientiousness

2.    Geographic Repurposing

3.    Local product

Ibex first sought out and partnered with Poly Recovery in the fall of 2012 for our annual tent sale. When faced with the daunting task of locally handling, collecting, processing, and recycling all the plastic and cardboard waste, of which there was a lot, only one company was fit to accept the challenge. And, they nailed it!

Since that inaugural test drive…err…event, Ibex continues to work with Poly Recovery to handle the waste from our distribution center and our Boston retail store.  (Trash trivia: Did you know that a Poly Recovery employee who lives in the area actually picks up all of the Boston store’s poly bags and stuffs them in the back of his car? Don’t say Fugee never taught you nothin’.)

Since our partnership began on a cold, wet October morning, we have longed to head down the highway to visit our friends in neighboring New Hampshire. Check out the video and photos, chronicling the day in a life of our Ibex “waste.” More than just sharing an obsessive attention to our impacts, we found shared values, and realized the unique place in the industry we each inhabit. Grab some jerky treats…err…popcorn and enjoy the film.

Love,

Fugee

P.S Remember every day is Earth Day