The time has come to rearrange my sock droor, shoving the knee-highs to the bottom, making room for the ankle biters at the top.  As another winter comes to an end, so does a successful year of mixed and ice climbing.
Photo by Boone Speed


From one season to the next, it's become a bit of a routine; ice climbing, then rock climbing, then ice climbing, then rock climbing, and so on.  Every year, with the changing of each season, I find myself struggling to let go of either rock or ice climbing (depending on which season it is).  Yet every season, after a bit of a struggle, I manage to find my way back...ready to get after it.

The second rock climbing was hinting at season's end I grew more and more excited about the upcoming mixed and ice climbing season.  More so then not i'm excited but mixed and ice but this year...this year i had big plans.  Whether traveling to South Korea and Europe, attempting some of the world's hardest lines...there was a lot to look forward to as well as keep me occupied.

Spending 3 months solid with training, it was tough but at the same time exciting.  For the entire 3 months my motivation grew stronger to try harder because i knew what was coming: The World Cup of Ice climbing and specific routes that once were impossible, but soon to become inevitable.  Raining, high winds, snowing, late nights...it didn't matter...i was always able to dig deep for a solid training session, preparing myself more and more for my mentioned goals.

Before I knew it i was traveling to places like South Korea, Italy, France, Russia, and Switzerland.  Experiencing this journey was an opportunity of a life time.  Competing on the World Cup circuit was out of this world.  The people, the places, the events, the climbing...there aren't words to do it justice...to how amazing it was.  My goal for the world cups this year was to climb faster and stronger.  I achieved that and was quite satisfied with my results.  Next year...the goals are set higher with motivation to get after a podium spot.  And aside from the world cup climbing, some of the venues we climbed at "for fun" were "top dollar".  World class climbing locations that were once dreams.  Being able to climb at these Mixed Crags was an experience to remember (and hopefully re-live next year).

Packing for big trips like this is no easy task.  Being limited by weight, it takes strategy to fit "what you need" into one bag.  Really? Living out of one bag for three weeks?  Yup, and it was sorta hard.  But I must say, one thing i could always rely on were my socks.  You can never pack too many pairs of socks.  There's always more room to scrunch a couple extra pairs of socks into your bag.  Shirts got stinky, undies had to be turned inside out, pants got dirty...but my socks...my socks stood the test of time.  With the amount of walking i did, they sure kept my feet in sound condition.  No sore spots, no blisters...nothing.  In my competition climbing boots my socks kept my feet from sliding around.  Waiting in the freezing cold, preparing for a climb...my socks kept my feet breathing...leaving them warm and cozy.  Throughout the entire trip, my socks were the one item that kept a sense of consistancy.

Upon my return from the World Cup tour, my goals then shifted and focused on two specific climbing routes.  One was 40 mins from my house with a very short approach, and the other...4.5hrs of driving...with a bit of a longer approach (still very short). Both routes are at the cutting edge of mixed climbing.  And within a month, I had sent both.  Both routes, there were times where i thought i couldn't do them.  Both routes took a toll on me mentally, challenging my mental toughness.  But In the end, I was able to stare them both down and take control, climbing them with authority.

Just returning from a good day of rock climbing (although a bit cold still), thinking back to my mixed climbing endeavors, it seems so long ago that i was traveling across the world, representing Canada at the world cups, or even spending my days in a canyon or worse–a cold dark cave in -20.  It was an amazing season...but I can definitely say I'm happy to be rock climbing again.  But, there's only 4 months until i start training for world cups again...so i guess it doesn't really go away, each season with it's style of climbing...i suppose whether rock climbing or mixed and ice climbing...both remain a constant state of mind.  Always climbing.

Ps. i was happy to be wearing my warm socks today when i wasn't on the rock–There's still snow on the ground!

Stay tuned for more...

The time has come to rearrange my sock droor, shoving the knee-highs to the bottom, making room for the ankle biters at the top.  As another winter comes to an end, so does a successful year of mixed and ice climbing.
Photo by Boone Speed

No matter the conditions, my feet always seem to remain consistent...

In May 2010 Joe Stock, Dylan Taylor and Danny Uhlmann skied into the Wrangell Mountains with little plans except for adventure. They found some--avalanches, crevasses, huge mountains and bears...

My feet. I’ll admit…they’re not my favorite piece of camera equipment. Heck, they’re not even camera equipment…but I find more and more they’re so vital to ensuring I get good images.

When I decided to head to Iceland this past June for 67 days of hiking and photography I knew without question my feet were going to be in for an ordeal…which is where my Wigwams’ come into play. I use primarily the Hiking/Outdoor Pro model and the Outlast Weather Shield. I pick these socks for 3 primary functions.

1. Comfort. When people think of photography they don’t usually associate it with much hiking. For landscape and wildlife photographers, it’s all we do. Getting the perfect shot requires walking, and lots of it all over uneven and punishing terrain; during my Iceland trek I walked nearly 450 miles…averaging 10-15miles on a typical day…and longer days of 20-25 miles thrown in for fun. It was hard on my feet. If I wore any other sock, I’m convinced my feet would’ve just fallen off in protest. The socks I used kept them padded and comfortable…ALL the time.

A great example: One day I had pushed hard through inclement weather and near the end of the day there was a river I needed to cross….in the interest of time I opted to leave my boots and socks on. OK, it was more because I was lazy, and didn’t want to stop…but long story short. If you get wet feet and wet footgear, you’re going to get a blister…no matter what shoes or socks you have on. I got a nice blister from walking the last 3 miles of a 24 mile days with wet and tired feet. The next morning was another 20+ mile day…and the weather was going to get bad near the end of the day…so I had to move. I put on dry socks in the morning and made the entire hike the next day with no pain from the blister…due primarily to the padding and comfort provided by the sock. When socks help compensate for my laziness…they get bonus points. (read more)

Summer seems to be coming to an end.  Now, typically this would lead to great frustration as it's only September...and there's already snow on the mountains, but this time around...my frustration is overpowered by excitement.

It seems as though every year the seasons get cut short due to bad weather.  Summer turns into winter too fast, winter is too short because the snow melts too early.  There doesn't seem to be any consistency anymore.  You can't rely on the weather station as it seems to change every half hour, and of course, everyone has their theory to why "this season is going to be the best...", yet every time, every season plays out its own fate.

The summer temps here in the mountains have been replaced with crisp air, to the point where you can see your own breath in the morning.  Usually this time of year shows up around October...but it's September...early september.  We've had so much rain in the past couple months that we've barely been able to enjoy three days in a row of sunshine.  For a split second this started to bug me...a lot.  But faster then i had expected, my attitude re-focused itself on a more positive note: The upcoming ice and mixed climbing season was closer then i thought.

When my wife and I do the laundary, all the clothes get folded and put away (well, i usually just "lay mine in a neat pile" and pick from there over the course of the week) leaving the socks in a big pile.  For the first time, a couple of days ago, i stared at my socks and found myself grinning.  At that moment I realized that my socks represented something more then just threads woven together–they represented what was coming.  They forshadowed the early mornings– the alpine starts if you will, the long days in the mountains, being 200ft off the ground on a scarey dagger of ice, or even the relaxing feeling of pulling off my shoes on an airplane.  It was as if my socks were telling me a story–one filled with many exhillerating adventures. 

 

Dear Wigwam,

I've been meaning to write your company for some time now, and comment on the amazing durability of your socks. I was given a 3-pack of the Ultimax (currently called PRO) Ironman socks on my 13th birthday from my dad who is an avid runner. I love them, I wear them about once a week and over the years have lost a pair but still have the remaining two. The reason I'm writing you is that I am now 32 years old. They have no holes in them or show any signs of breaking down. I think the fact that the socks have been worn regularly for 19 years is simply amazing, talk about a quality product! I have photos but couldn't find an email adress to send them to. Thought you guys would like this story, thanks again.

Sincerely, Ben M.

Dear Wigwam,

Just gotta tell you, having tried a lot of socks in VERY adverse situations (I am an avid adventure racer) - the InGenius socks (now called Fusion) have been awesome. I recommend to Adventure Racers, the InGenius sock.  The pairs I have, have been abused beyond belief and have kept my feet blister free and happy.

You can see some of what I put these socks through at my Adventure Racing blog  - http://eaglinar.blogspot.com/ .

Sincerely,

Dr. Ron E.

Your socks play a major role in what you're doing out there. Me, my socks need to withstand the brutality I put them through. And they do.

Throughout the winter season I spend a lot of my time trudging through the snow.  My focus and goal: to find new/ice and rock to climb.  This, living in the Canadian Rockies, means a lot of hiking (through a lot of snow I might add).  Over the last few years I've been able to wear and test a lot of outdoor clothing and what i've come up with: thank goodness for good socks.  I don't care what jacket, pants, mitts, sweaters, even long underwear i have on, but what i do care about...are good socks.  (Just for the record, I guess I do sorta care about what iIwear, but not as much as my socks.)

This past winter I had the opportunity to wear wigwam socks.  I wore several different styles in fact and will never turn back.  Whether in my touring boots, my ice climbing or competition climbing boots, my approach shoes, and even my crocks, my socks never let me down.

Hi! I did a 550 mile trek across Northern Spain for 2 months wearing the same pair of Ironman Wigwam socks daily (I washed them and they dry so fast) and I still wear them every day to triathlon train. I can't believe the practicality and durability (and comfort) of these amazing socks!!! Thank you for making such a wonderful product. They are my favorite socks, not just for training :).
 
Very Best,

Morgan D.