Extraction from K2 (Pakistan)
We were taken aback by a recent post on Samina Baig’s Instagram page. Regular ArmaSkin readers will recognize Samina as Pakistan’s foremost female mountaineer, having conquered the Seven Summits and numerous other formidable peaks. ArmaSkin first connected with Samina and her brother Mirza when they led a group of young female climbers to a significant peak in the Karakoram Range, with ArmaSkin providing liner socks for many team members.
The following gripping excerpt is from her Instagram that previously was recording her parties progress to climb K2 which at 8,611 metres above sea level, is the second-highest mountain on Earth, after Mount Everest at 8,849 metres:
"K2 and I share a history.
After summiting in 2022, I returned to K2 in July 2024 for the fourth time. However, this time, the experience took a different turn. Reaching Base Camp was smooth, and 30th of June we enjoyed a pleasant three hour hike up to Advanced Base Camp (ABC) with water breaks along the way. However, on July 2nd, I woke up with an unusual heaviness in my chest something I had never experienced at such an altitude. Initially, I dismissed it as a fever, but by nightfall, I started coughing and struggled to sleep.
The following morning, I informed our expedition doctor, who prescribed antibiotics and assured me I’d be fine. While the medication helped, an ultrasound revealed that I had developed pulmonary edema—a shocking diagnosis. Our expedition leader immediately requested a helicopter, but despite clear weather at Base Camp, we had to wait for 3 days. On the third day, my condition deteriorated further due to chest congestion and the edema, leaving me unable to breathe on my own. The doctor administered supplemental oxygen. On the fourth day, my brothers, Gul Muhammad and Mirza Ali, who were on their own missions at the Base Camp of Broad Peak, visited me. After consulting with our expedition leader and doctor, they decided to take drastic action.
The doctor warned that if I wasn’t evacuated immediately, I might not survive. This was a heart-wrenching moment for my brothers. My brother Mirza Ali carried me on horseback to Concordia a gruelling five hour journey where they had to hold me up as I couldn’t stay upright on the horse. The cold was intense, and by the time we arrived, it was already dark. The terrain became impassable for the horse, so they had to carry me on their backs to the Concordia camp.
It was a nightmare for my brother to carry me across the treacherous terrain, but there was no other option. The pain of being on horseback for over 48 hours was overwhelming. Both my brother and I were utterly exhausted, both mentally and physically. Finally, we reached the last camp, only to be told there were no vehicles available. I was kept on oxygen overnight, and the next morning we left again. After another three-hour jeep ride, we were two hours away from Skardu, where the helicopter finally arrived to airlift me to CMH. At CMH Skardu, the army doctor team and doctors from Agha Khan Hospital in Gilgit thoroughly checked my health condition."
The next day, I was flown to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Rawalpindi by the army’s air ambulance, where I spent three days in the ICU and another three days in the hospital before being discharged.
My biggest fear during this ordeal was that I might never walk again. It took two weeks of slow, painful recovery before I could stand on my own feet. Now, I am physically healed, but the emotional and mental scars run deep. This experience has tested me in every way, but I am determined to fully recover, one step at a time."
Samina's safe return to CMH was a tribute to the efforts of an enormous team of individuals and support organisations.
More graphic videos of her extraction can be seen on her @saminabaigofficial Instagram page.
Kaylyn's Marathon Effort (Edmonton Canada)
ArmaSkin Ambassador Kaylyn from Canada recently completed the Edmonton Marathon. Kaylyn is not a stranger to endurance running having just recently completed the Klondike 100km.
While its not surprising that she made the distance it was a little curious that her time split, otherwise looking so consistent, for the last leg was a bit of an anomaly.
So being curious, we just had to dig a bit deeper:
Kaylyn, "Yes, that's correct, lol. There were a few factors, and my feet not being any of them 🙂
The main one was I got a side stomach cramp and my legs cramped, and knowing my body I knew my electrolyte intake was off as I was only consuming electrolyte water from my running vest, so I had to slow down and grab plain water from a couple of aid stations to balance it out.
It was also getting hotter out 🌞
The last part of the course has the "hill". It's not much of a hill but after running 38 km's you wish it were flatter lol
The distance on my watch (and other participants) watches weren't matching up to the course markers on the last section of the race. So I was thinking I was running my last 2 km's to make it to a 42.2 Km marathon, but we ended up doing a 42.7 km marathon. Doesn't seem like much more to run 0.5 kms, but when your mind thinks you're done at 42.2, your heart rate is in zone 5, that extra 2-2.5 minutes of running on cement feeling legs
It was really tough lol. But the crowd cheering me on kept me going, and through all that, i didn't skip a beat and pushed through past the finish line."
Tracey Steps Up To The Challenge (Australia)
ArmaSkin Ambassador Tracey has spent the last few weeks "Stepping up to Breast Cancer Challenge".
Every day, 57 Australians are diagnosed with breast cancer, and 9 people lose their lives to this disease.
The Step Up to Breast Cancer walk or run of 57km throughout August aimed to raise funds for vital breast cancer research to help save lives.
If you like you can add your support by visiting Tracey's donation page: https://fundraise.nbcf.org.au/fundraisers/traceyquinn
Spoiler alert, not surprisingly, Tracey an avid bush walker has already blown her target out of the water! But it is always nice to be on a winner!
Dogfoot Gets A Watering in Wyoming (USA)
ArmaSkin Ambassador Erick has crossed into Wyoming on his Continental Divide Trail NOBO thru hike.
An apparent change is that on this leg of the journey water is becoming more abundant. The positive being it makes for a lighter pack knowing that water supplies will be regular. The negative side is that per his recent youtube Chapter 24, being on an unprotected mountain top and using an umbrella for protection from a thunderstorm can be somewhat hairy!
That's Erick managing a stream crossing in our lead picture.
It is very entertaining to follow Erick's videos on youtube DogFoot Trailing Blended in with great landscape grabs is Erick's indomitable frank and dry humour and discourse about the Trail. PS please make sure you subscribe to his Youtube channel coz we are keen to see him hit 1000 subscribers (currently 911).
Camino Frances (Spain)
It was great to hear from Kiwi ArmaSkin fan Brenda.
"I have now completed both the Camino Frances from SJDP to Santiago 799 km ( actually did approx 900 km with side missions)"
The Camino Frances is a pilgrimage from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France over the Pyrenees and across the north of Spain to Santiago de Compostela.
Above is a pic of Brenda at the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence.
"And Via di Fransesco , 600 km with about an extra 100 km side missions, all wearing my ArmaSkin socks.
Best investment ever for protecting my feet from blisters and damage on a Camino or through hike . I was even able to complete the hike with a sprained ankle due to the compression factor .
Thank you for a wonderful product."
Feet respond to trauma differently, whether it is hot spots, swelling from continual hard hiking or damage from a twisted ankle. While every case will vary, it was interesting to hear Brenda's view on her wearing ArmaSkin, having sprained her ankle, "minimal bruising surprisingly and probably due to compression". While there is a whole industry sector focussed on compression socks, it isn't clear whether ArmaSkin's compression provides additional benefits above blister prevention. We are always interested in hearing views from wearers of ArmaSkin about this topic.
Australian Alps Walking Track Guided Hike. Interested?
Recently joining the ArmaSkin Ambassador Team are Maddie and Tom from ACT Australia. Operating under the monika of The Adventure Gene, these two are regularly attacking Fastest Known Times for iconic hiking trails. But their other interest is providing hiking tips and tours.
The next big one is a section of the Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) guided hike that is scheduled for November 3, 2024. Trip Duration 14 Days, Distance 230km, Group Size 6 Persons, Activity Level Difficult.
The Australian Alps Walking Track is Australia’s premier long-distance alpine bushwalk. At 680km in length, it traverses Australia’s finest high country between Tharwa (ACT) and Walhalla (VIC).
This trip tackles the northern third of the AAWT, from Tharwa (ACT) to Dead Horse Gap (NSW). Traversing the high plains of the Snowy Mountains, exploring historic alpine huts, spotting native wildflowers and summitting Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko.
If you'd like to join this trip to develop your outdoor skills and knowledge the Adventure Gene's world-class guides are passionate about helping others achieve their hiking goals. Learn how to lighten your pack, nail your nutrition and navigate in the backcountry. Develop your confidence to pursue unguided multi-day hiking trips or even take on a thru hike like the Pacific Crest Trail!
Here's a link for more information.
You may recall from an earlier ArmaSkin News that Maddie and Tom recently completed a record setting thru hike of the TeAraoa Trail in New Zealand. They've just published their review of the ArmaSkin liner socks they used for the trip. By ArmaSkin standards, they put them to the torture test because they chose not to wear an outer sock! Here's an excerpt from their report.
"We have carried and used ArmaSkin socks for ~7000km of hiking, up to 100km/day.
Tom relied on ArmaSkin socks whilst setting the self-supported Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Bibbulmun Track (1000km, 11 days 22h).
Maddie and Tom both used ArmaSkin socks whilst setting the self-supported FKT on Te Araroa (3000km, 54 days 14h).
In both cases, we used the Polymer Anti Blister Long Liner Socks without an outer sock over the top.
ArmaSkin socks are a great tool to have in your blister prevention toolbox. They can be an absolute lifesaver and save you a lot of pain. Indeed, Tom has cried in joy from the pain relief brought by putting on a pair of ArmaSkin socks during an FKT."
While overall very positive, the review also includes some interesting "room for improvement" commentary on the ArmaSkin design. We will be posting the full review in a September blog.
Aussie hiker motivation!!
Have you got your Australian Hiking Scratch Poster from Set To Hike?
Don't miss out on a unique gift idea for your avid Aussie hiker friend, or couch potato! The poster features 56 of Australia's best hikes. Each hike has an individual image created by ArmaSkin Ambassador Hayley.
To keep to the spirit of the Poster, you can only expose each image after completing the hike.
Well done to anyone who clicks this link: Australian Hiking Scratch Poster
Recent ArmaSkin blog posts:
This blog introduces you to our current ArmaSkin Ambassadors.
Over the years a growing number of hikers, runners and sports people, having taken ArmaSkin on their challenging journeys, have put up their hands as real fans of ArmaSkin for blister prevention,
For some this has been through epic hikes, mountain climbs, river challenges, marathons, ultra trail runs and more. For others its been just keeping a clear headspace by enjoying the great outdoors on an almost daily basis.
Whether professional or amateur as ArmaSkin Ambassadors they treat us all to wonderful pictures and stories from across the globe which we share in our media with fellow adventurers.
How far can you stretch an ArmaSkin
Some tips on getting the greatest distance from your ArmaSkin.
North West Passage (Alaska USA)
The North West Passage rowers have reached Douglas Island and are taking refuge there from prevailing winds.
Making progress requires battling against the wind and often the tide which can flow at a couple of knots (roughly 4 kph). So it is important to judge what progress can be made in a day versus the next available landfall and safe anchorage.
According to Team leader Leven, if the weather runs as predicted the Team may be able to leave Sunday 25 August on its westward journey.
Very roughly there's about 400 nautical miles (800km) of careful navigation and tough rowing to reach the Beaufort Sea. Since restarting their journey on 2 August they've covered about 200 nautical miles (400km).
With safe harbours being a critical consideration it will be interesting to see if the Team decides to follow the north or south side of the passage as it widens out in the coming weeks.
From the Instagram images it seems ArmaSkin Ambassador Art is pulling his weight in the rowing department so enjoys "Taking a topside break after winds forced us into a safe anchorage.
I rely on ArmaSkin liner socks for comfort by keeping my feet dry and pain-free."
If you'd like to see more there are plenty of posts on the NWP Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/nwp_expedition/ There is also a link to the tracking map.
AND, if you have big plans for 2024, 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.
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 Brenda who shared her Camino Frances adventure 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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Use code News2024 for your 20% SPECIAL discount till 1 September 2024
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