Craghoppers

Mark Dyer and Huskies in Finland

When Mark was looking into a gap year he didn't want to head out on a trip around Australasia and Asia like his friends he wanted to find an experience as unique as he could. We were lucky enough to hear about Mark's stay in Finland when he got in touch with a testimony about the Craghoppers gear he took out there. Here in his words is a little glimpse of what life is like on a husky farm in Finland.

"I chose the Arctic Circle, Finland for my Gap year because it was so different. Some of my friends were taking gap years and were planning to backpack around the world or work in Australian schools, but I didnt want to do something that is becoming increasingly common. When I saw the advertisement offering volunteer 3 month placements, I lept at this unique opportunity.

"I work as a guide on a Husky farm. This entails looking after clients, (ensuring that they and the dogs are safe on safari, as well as entertaining them on the farm), training the dogs all year round, carrying out building, repairs, ground work, maintenance (season dependent), training new volunteers, and most importantly: looking after the dogs well-being.  The farm is a family run business specializing in husky safaris for French and English clients. "The huskies are all working dogs and superb athletes, they are running safaris, or training for 8 months of the year. The food intake and and activity is stringently monitored on a weekly dog check, as is their overall health. That being said, they are extremely friendly dogs and volunteers are actively encouraged to take dogs home in the evening in order to improve socialization. We tend to spoil some of them!

"My only fears were that, being only 18 I would struggle with the long hours, tough conditions and hard work. Although the month of December in the season is particularly demanding and hectic, it is almost a right of passage to go through and it brings the volunteer guides closer together. Work starts at 6am  and finishes at 12am or later in this busy season. The dogs have to be fed at least two hours before they run to help digestion. We may end up running 5-6 different safaris a day, several rounds each, and some simultaneously. This all requires typically between 5-10, 6 dog sleigh teams. These teams have to be set up within the shortest time possible. 

"The terrain and climate is extreme but we are fortunate to be learning cold weather skills from the owners of the farm, Pasi Ikonen and Anna McCormack. Both Pasi and Anna are experienced adventure racers and have many years experience in harsh climates. Anna led a pioneering crossing of Greenland with a paraplegic girl, and has also been a part of mountaineering expeditions through her work with the British Schools Exploring Society, and Raliegh International. Pasi Ikonen and his expedition partner became the first Finnish people to ski to the South Pole unsupported. Through their tutorship. The other volunteers and I learn priceless tips and skills in order to function effectively in what can be a hostile climate.   

"Mishaps are common place when people/dogs/sleighs are moving around the farm at mach 10. Fortunately none have been serious. Dogs can escape from cages and get into fights or we ourselves can become injured due to handling sharp or dangerous tools. We have already had one concussion and one case of frostbite in the volunteers. However, we learn how to medicate the dogs in accordance with their injuries...and we make sure we are exceptionally careful when felling trees. 

"Some of the highlights so far include mushing at night in the wilderness, under the brilliant canopy of the Northern lights, to herding Reindeer at a special Sami event. My favourite was driving a dog team down the challenging 6km route to a daybreak location, with 12 dogs and no passengers in the sleigh. I did this twice a day for a week. (I reached some pretty high speeds; confidence and balance is essential when 'mushing') However, the most incredible thing is getting to work with such wonderful animals."

Of course we couldn't let Mark finish his blog post without a nod to his favourite pieces of Craghoppers kit...

"If I could keep only one piece of Craghoppers kit it would be my Kiwi Pro Stretch Trousers. The best value for money trousers I have ever bought. I wear them for travelling as well as in -20C. They are quick drying, hard wearing and very comfortable. I would not be able to cope without my Corey II Microfleece, I have been wearing it everyday for 3 months, It has only needed washing once which is fantastic considering some of the dirty jobs around the farm. "

You can find out more about everyday life and how to volunteer on a husky farm via a Facebook page and website - http://www.hettahuskies.com/

December Testimonial

We received this awesome email from a happy customer - just before the Christmas break.

If you have feedback, a testimonial, product review or just want to say hi to the Craghoppers team then please get in touch or email community@craghoppers.com!

"I'm writing your company today to thank you for making and selling a quality product. I'vebeen wearing Craghoppers gear for about two years now and I love it. When I purchased theKiwi Stretch Pants I read that you'll want to wear them everywhere and I thought, ya right.But it's true, I do wear them everywhere.

"I recently travelled through South America for four months and I like to say I outfitted my trip,at least most of my trousers and outerwear, with Craghoppers gear. It held up well whilehiking the 26 mile Inca trail through the rain and winds. It was also great for me when wedescended into the deepest canyon in the world, the Colca Canyon, and then ascended thenext morning. My clothes kept me dry and warm throughout. I stayed warm in Patagonia atthe Perrito Moreno Glacier and Mount Fitzroy in El Chalten. I stayed dry at Iguazu Falls. I willcontinue to buy from Craghoppers as long as you are in business, it's a quality product at areasonable price that lasts and serves well. I've attached a photo of me in my Craghoppersgear after four days hiking the Inca Trail, finally at Macchu Picchu. 

Thanks again. Thomas."

What to pack for a winter hike

Nothing can compare to the crisp, clean winter air on a hike this season. Whether you're crossing the snowline this winter in the Peak District or the Himalaya - it's essential you have the right kit. 

The following are key items from the Craghoppers outdoor clothing range that should be top of your list when preparing for a hike this winter.

ClimaPlus Jacket
A lightweight insulated jacket that keeps you warm even when you’re wet! Incorporating Craghoppers’ high-performance hollowfibre fill, the ClimaPlus Jacket features a windproof and water-repellent ripstop face to stave off the wintry flurries. Featuring inner and outer pockets for good measure, it’s a great winter jacket.

Waterproof Stretch Trousers (Steall and Aira)
Full-stretch men’s and women's waterproof trousers you can wear all day without the relentless rustling! Craghoppers Stretch Trousers feature watertight yet breathable AquaDry Membrane construction to keep you dry and comfortable with freedom of movement for the active outdoors. These are waterproof trousers that can be pressed into action all year round.

Backpack
You need a definitive backpack that's big enough to hold a day's gear, but will happily fold down into its own stuff sack when empty. Craghoppers' brilliant Pacsac design incorporates a large main compartment together with useful side pockets and a hydration system so you'll always have a drink to hand. Padded back and shoulder straps ensure a comfortable ride!

Adventure Shock Absorber Pole
Spring into action on the rockiest roads with this high-performance anti-shock walking pole. Amazingly light, yet superbly strong, our pole takes the strain out of any hilly trek. The fabulous cork grip handle means it won’t chafe your palm and the padded, adjustable strap enables you to comfortably secure it when scrambling up the fells. It's surely the ideal pole for descents and gauging snow density.

And don't forget...Ice Axe, Mountain boots, warm socks, crampons, warm base layers and snow gaiters.

Guest Blog - Sarah in Machu Picchu, Peru.

We love Twitter especially when it helps you find hidden gems such as Sarah Robertson. We got chatting and now she's written us a fantastic guest blog about her time in Machu Picchu, Peru.

You can read more of Sara's work at footprintsofabackpacker.com but watch this space we may feature more from her soon!



"I think the importance of having good gear can only really be appreciated once you've had an experience without. The South Downs Way taught me this lesson, unceremoniously, when my 'walking trousers' were soaked until see-through by some particularly forceful English rain. And so, when planning my trip to South America, I was determined not to suffer the same fate again. As part of our trip we would be hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. For this, in particular, I wanted to make sure we had the right gear for the occasion.

"The Inca Trail is a 500 year old path, located in the Peruvian jungle. It was originally used by the Incas as a pilgrimage to the royal getaway that is the astounding Machu Picchu. The trail is only 35km long but crosses three passes and has a maximum altitude of 4,200m. The terrain is rocky, uneven and, at times, slippery. And, in October, at the time we would be walking the trail, the weather is famously changeable. With all that in mind, we had to pack extremely carefully.



"We awoke on the first morning of the trek (at a sociable 4am) and we were greeted by the sound of pouring rain. Excellent. We had four days of walking ahead of us, we weren't looking forward to the idea of spending those soaking wet. However, by the time we reached the trail head, five hours later, it was starting to brighten up. Having dispensed with the bureaucracy required to enter, we were finally there, hiking the Inca Trail.

"The next four days offered a roller coaster of emotion, physical exertion, variable views and interesting weather patterns. The second day proved to be the toughest with a climb of 1,200m up to the top altitude while the third day was the longest with nearly twelve hours of walking. As a total experience, though, it was one of the most rewarding treks I have ever undertaken and good gear choices ensured I was as comfortable as I could be.

"My Craghoppers SolarDry trousers were particularly indispensable. They were heavy enough to be warm, but light enough to not be suffocating. Their shape and the ability to convert them into shorts made them ideal for the steep terrain, especially the 'knee-killer' Incan steps. And best of all, when the rain arrived, it simply beaded up on the surface. Even after the heavier rain had pushed them to their limit and waterproof over-trousers were required, they very quickly dried off.

"The restrictions of the trail and how much I could easily carry meant that changes of clothes had to be incredibly limited. That's why my Craghoppers Nosi shirt was the ideal choice. Layered up over base layers it was incredibly warm. Thrown on in the sunshine it protected my arms from the high altitude sunshine. And after the inevitable rain, it was quick to dry while we ate our lunch. And even after four days of wearing, it didn't smell too bad!

"Some other hikers had made some more 'interesting' choices with regards to their gear. We saw people wearing leggings, woolen jumpers, converse trainers and a plastic fashion mac. We saw roll mats and sleeping bags strung to the outside of packs, left to the mercy of the rain. And perhaps, strangest of all, was the woolen backpack one woman was carrying. Many a conversation saw us talking up the qualities of our gear to envious trekkers who'd had several uncomfortable nights sleep in unsuitable, soggy clothing.

"Our arrival at Machu Picchu on the final day, after a 4am wake up call and two solid hours of walking was triumphant. Our bodies were tired, but our minds were racing as we tried to comprehend the enormity of the sight in front of us. The achievement of the Incas, to be able to build something so impressive in the middle of nowhere, is beyond incredible. As we made our way from the Sun Gate down to the ruins, the clouds parted and the sun shined down on the beauty in front of us. At that moment, to have gone through the rain, the cold, the altitude and the knee breaking steps felt entirely worthwhile. We were there, we had made it and we'd even managed to maintain a certain level comfort throughout the experience. My Craghoppers clothes will certainly be accompanying me on many adventures to come."

 

Gearing up for winter.

There's a saying we're not sure how famous it is but around Craghoppers HQ it is, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing". Now we live in a country where the weather is more than a little unpredictable. So let's face it it's time we started living by this saying.

While the Autumn weather has still been "nice", we need to get out there and gear up for the winter, so you can get out and play. Educate yourself and be prepared for the elements. As you know we use the layering system here at Craghoppers and we use our clothing for all our outdoor activities; like walking, hiking, fell-running and more.

This is the ultimate kit list for the winter:
Base Tee
Our lightweight performance tee is our preferred base layer this winter. The t-shirt's quick-drying fabric wicks moisture away from the body to keep you warm and dry, however active your outdoor pursuits.

Mid Layer
When it comes to buying the right winter wear, this is usually one thing that gets overlooked... mid layer outdoor clothing. Craghoppers lightweight fleeces velvety pile helps to trap warm air with brilliant efficiency.

Waterproof Jacket or Shell
Our waterproof jackets, are ideal for cold-weather, those with AquaDry construction keep the rain out with ease.

Winter Lined Trousers
These warm lined trousers offer comfort and ease of movement. You’ll love the snug winter lining you can stay active outdoors all winter long. The winter-ready women’s and men's trousers feature a water-repellent finish to shrug off showers too!

 

A little bit of sunshine goes a long way!

Here in the UK we're experiencing what many are calling an Indian Summer, we've had a couple of days of great weather and it's set to continue right through this weekend. After such a rainy August and September (not that we're complaining we got to do lots of testing the newest Craghoppers waterproof jackets) we're thinking of some fun and quirky things to do outdoors.

Warning some of these may involve some (a lot!) of good humour and imagination:

Cloud Watching
Is it a dog? Is it a rabbit? Is it a king sitting on his throne, or a monkey eating an apple? Cloud watching is a fun hobby for children and adults alike. It is also one of the few hobbies that can be done without any equipment--just some spare time and a little imagination! It's a fantastic way to relax in the sunshine and it's not just cheap it's free!

http://lookintomyowl.com/susan-eder-craig-dennis-strata.html

Do homework / work outside
Got an important presentation next week? Do the kids need to learn some spellings over the weekend? Why not practice and learn while playing a ball-game or even making daisy chains. Whatever works. You're guaranteed to remember more from revising in a new setting with plenty of fresh air!~

Bird Watching
Learn about bird migration and get out there and watch some of the most amazing displays as flocks of birds gather together to head south for when the weather turns cold again.

Head to a farm
Visit a farm. Harvest time is one of the most exciting and popular parts of the year on the farm, and a visit to your local producer can be educational, entertaining, and most of all delicious.

http://matronofhusbandry.wordpress.com/

Geo-Caching

The modern equivilant of the treasure hunt players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS-enabled devices and then share their experiences online. Simply get some co-ordinates from the geo-caching site enter them into your hand-held GPS and away you go! 

We hope you like our handful of ideas, let us know what you get up to and even sdend us some photos to community@craghoppers.com or leave a message on our Facebook wall.

Mark Evans - Quick fire Q and A

Inside Nature's Giants and Brave New World's presenter Mark Evans recently took custody of some of our toughest travel clothing for filming the latest Channel 4 series.


 We caught up with him for a few minutes and asked him some quick fire questions about where he likes to travel, spend time in the outdoors and of course, what Craghoppers clothing he loves most!

Favourite Destination: Mallorca and Australia
Favourite Walking Place: Switzerland  and Dorset
What's the most essential piece of outdoor kit?
My camping party grill.
What's the most essential piece of travel kit?
Boots.
In your opinion, what's the best modern technology in clothing?
I love natural technology such as cotton, feathers and Merino wool.
What's your favourite piece of Craghoppers gear?
Your shirts - although they took a little longer to dry in Borneo that I thought they would.
When you're away from job, how do you relax?
Tinkering with my Land Rovers
What's next on the agenda?
I'm currently preparing for another expedition to Zambia.

Inside Nature's Giants is an award-winning series that gets under the skin of the largest animals on the planet. Most wildlife documentaries show how animals behave, but by exploring their anatomy, Inside Nature's Giants reveals how these creatures really work. The series has now finished on Channel 4 but you can catch up online! 

Mountains of Adventure with Craghoppers

Jim Godfrey from Mountains of Adventure took Craghoppers' insect-repellent clothing, the NosiLife Shirt and Trousers through the Costa Rican rainforest. Here's a brief diary of the expedition as well as Jim's review of the gear.

Trekking through the Corcovado National Park

The team spent one month in Costa Rica visiting many areas of the country and undertaking a variety of activities.  We left the UK on Wednesday, 13 July and returned on Friday, 12 August 2011. 

The first two nights were spent in the capital city (San Jose).  This provided the opportunity for some acclimatisation and orientation.  There was also time to make some arrangements and plans for the remainder of the trip. 

From San Jose we travelled to La Amistad National Park in the south of Costa Rica.  At La Amistad, we undertook three day treks to help the group with acclimatisation and getting used to the environment.  The amount of recent rainfall presented challenging conditions.

The team then spent a week staying within the community near the town of Ciudad Neilly close to the border with Panama.  The week provided a great opportunity to meet and interact with the local community.  It also enabled the group to undertake some tasks to benefit the local community. 

After the community project we travelled to the Peninsula de Osa where we spent the next five days in the small town of Puerto Jimenez.   The team had time for rest and relaxation on the beach and also a boat trip to watch dolphins.  We also used the opportunity to make arrangements for the remainder of the expedition. 

From Puerto Jimenez we made the short trip to commence the main trek at La Palma.  The main trek consisted of 5 days of trekking through the Corcovado National Park.  The total distance covered was 55 km across a variety of terrain including jungle, rain forest and beach.  Some days were challenging due to the terrain and climate.  All Challengers completed the whole trek which was a fantastic achievement.

Finally, the team concluded the expedition with the rest and relaxation phase.  We travelled north to Quepos for a few days by the beach and then further north to Arenal and Monteverde.  On the last three days we visited the volcanic hot springs, completed the zip wiring tour and white water rafting trip.

The expedition provided lots of variety and was enjoyed by all.  There were some challenging days but also plenty of time to relax and soak up the culture and atmosphere.|

NosiLife Trousers

• The cut of the trousers/material used make the trousers very comfortable.
• The men's trousers are quick drying and easy to wash.
• The insect-repellent trousers are just as good for travelling as they are on the trail.
• The waterproof bag is useful but I removed it from the pocket and carried it in my bag.  Having the bag, and contents,in the pocket is quite bulky.
• There are one or two places where the stitching came undone or the material frayed a little.  However, these were minor.

NosiLife Shirt

• The men's shirt is an outstanding piece of clothing a firm favourite in my wardrobe.
• The cut of the shirt and the material make it very comfortable.
• The shirt is quick drying and easy to wash.
• This walking shirt is very comfortable even when wet.
• The left chest pocket with a zip is good and may have been useful on the right as well.  I actually kept this pocket open and used it as an extra vent.
• Perhaps it would be useful to have underarm vents.
• I was impressed with the insect-repellent shirt.  I can only recall one insect which landed on the shirt and stung me through the fabric.

About Mountains of Adventure
At Mountains of Adventure we don’t provide a range of standard trips.  Instead our ethos is to provide a tailor-made solution to suit you.  Whether this is a day walk in the Scottish hills, a chance to brush up some mountain skills or an overseas trip, each venture is tailor-made.

 

 

Perfect clothing to weather Outdoor Festivals

With V Festival just around the corner, we asked some professionals what music fans can do to get the best out of their experience. A lot of people get exposed to extreme weather which could get you into trouble at this time of year so we recommend you listen to your body and remember to pack your common sense! 

What to wear...
Loose-fitting, light-coloured outdoor clothing that breathes is best. "Clothes that wick are clothes that keep the sweat away from your body and help it evaporate and keep you cool," our experts say. "Things like performance t-shirts or synthetic walking clothes are great but keep them loose-fitting and light-coloured." Craghoppers' Base Tees and short-sleeve shirts are ideal as the later are sun-protective and the former have moisture control.

Our kiwi walking shirts are fantastic as they balance protection from the sun with being thin, lightweight, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing. 

Of course, this being England, it could be hailing one minute and bright sunshine the next so try to prepare for every eventuality. Bring along both a waterproof jacket and light summer clothes, Craghoppers' versatile outdoor convertible trousers are a perfect addition to any festival wardrobe, they zip off from trousers to shorts in seconds! 

What to drink...

If you were hoping beer would be the answer here, you're out of luck. Especially during warm weather you need to keep hydrated. It's recommended that you at least a pint of water or non-alcoholic fluids per hour. And if you do drink alcohol? You'll need to increase your intake of water or non-alcoholic fluids accordingly. 

"If you are thirsty," experts say, "you have not been drinking enough. But you should not wait until you are thirsty to drink water." A good way to tell if you're drinking enough is to keep track of how many slow songs you're missing to go to join the portaloo queue. The more you need to go the more hydrated you are.

What not to do...

Don't wear jeans. No, really - we're not just saying that. "Jeans are the worst for heat," experts say. "They're dark, they attract the sun and they hold in moisture because they're made out of cotton, and they don't wick at all. So I would always avoid jeans."

Our popular walking and insect-repellent trousers have some cotton in them, but they're lightweight and the lighter they are, the better they are.

Don't take valuables
Most festivals have a very good safety record but criminals will always find a way - so it's best to leave anything of worth at home. There will be a lock-up facility at some festivals that you can use, but it's best to carry things like money, credit cards, mobile phones, cameras and so on with you at all times.

Some Craghoppers' shirts and trousers come with security pockets that are ideal for carrying these items around more discreetly and safely. 

African Lion Adventure - Alun Goodwin

Back in September 2010 Alun Goodwin, embarked on an African adventure to Namibia. This year he spent a couple of weeks again in Africa but this time in Zimbabwe. In his words, here are some of the highlights from his trip...

"I have returned from Zimbabwe which has been my best trip so far. I was working at a place called Antelope Park and I miss it tremendously, the lions, the staff and the other volunteers were amazing. The African lion population is diminishing at a staggering rate, and as lions have always been my favourite animals, the chance to join the fight for their survival was one I simply had to take.

"I met great volunteers from all over the world and made some good friends. The staff were excellent as well and being surrounded by lions was my idea of paradise! 
We were assigned to two sets of Lions cubs, Laili and Lewa, Paza and Penya. We would walk with them every day to teach them how to adapt to the wild, get them used to different sounds and smells, as well as stalking potential prey.

"When they reach 18 months they will be retired from walking with volunteers and they will go on to have their own cubs in what's known as stage two. When they have those cubs there will be no human involvement at all. They will then go on to stage 3 where competitive animals such as Hyena will be introduced so the lions will have to compete for food. We also helped out at a local orphanage every Saturday which was fun. 

"My kit was good as expected, made good use of long shorts and NosiLife gear. The durability of the Kiwis came in very handy on Bush walks as there are savage thorn bushes out there. I saw quite a few people were also wearing our travel clothing which is good, so I was quick to talk to them about it. The staff were also interested to hear what I do for Craghoppers and I was telling them that we make insect-repellent clothing which is very useful for this project as it is situated on a river, so there are lots of Mosquitoes! I made really good use of the sun-protective shirts when I was repairing roads and fences, which meant lots of time in the sun, collecting rocks and sand.

"I'm not sure where I will go next year, perhaps a return to Namibia or maybe even a trip to the USA, but Africa is well and truly a part of me so it is only a matter of time until we are reunited."