Positive News from the world of ArmaSkin blister prevention. Tasmania's Overland Track and a chance to WIN an Ah Chair.
Overland Track 2021
As we write, Andrea, an ArmaSkin Ambassador is in Tasmania for a challenging through hike of the Overland Track.
The Overland Track holds legendary status as one of the finest walks in Australia.
Walking from north to south over six days it covers the highest area of Tasmania, from the epic craggy spires of Cradle Mountain to the rainforest-clad shores of the deepest natural lake in the Southern Hemisphere, Lake St Clair. The World Heritage listed landscape is truly breath taking and will leave you enchanted, inspired and feeling completely connected.
With each day and every step, the scenery on the trail varies dramatically taking you through ancient Myrtle forest, glaciated dolerite landscapes, past plateaus covered in sparkling tarns and lakes and to Tasmania's highest peak Mt Ossa. You will have up close encounters with the unique and endemic animals that call this wonderful area home.
You can travel the Overland solo or with guides. If the latter is your style here are a couple of companies you could try; Tasmanian Expeditions/u>, Tas Walking Co.
A travel pass is required and park fees may apply.
Buying Local in 2021
Back problems?
As part of our support for local manufacturers of hiking gear we are pleased to promote products made in Australia or New Zealand.
This month we feature the innovative Ah Chair. For a chance to WIN one just email us with one line saying why you'd like an Ah Chair. Here's the email CONTACT
Designed and manufactured in Moruya on the South Coast of NSW the “Ah Chair” is the latest innovation in hiking comfort. Weighing just over 200 grams the Ah Chair is the lightest camping chair available in the world. The basic principle of the chair is that your feet are used to support your back. It promotes correct posture and eases back pain. It might look a bit unusual but it works!
There are several advantages of the Ah Chair over existing camping chairs. Apart from being extremely light weight it is also much more versatile than all other chairs. It can be used anywhere. If you can sit down, you can sit down with an Ah Chair. It’s fantastic in a tent where you can sit up in comfort, on your mat, in your sleeping bag and read, play cards, drink or eat. You can use it to sit on a log or a rock and have a backrest, or sit in style on top of a mountain. It’s great at the beach where it’s light weight and compact design make it a snap to transport. We have even used it on a Stand Up Paddle board to turn the board into a surf ski.
And here is a link to an ArmaSkin blog listing 51 companies making hiking stuff in Australia and New Zealand and a direct link to Ah Chair.
Veteran Aperture!
ArmaSkin is lucky to have an array of friends who's lives involve photography.
Originally from Honduras and now hailing from California, Erick Andino is one of our more creative photographers.
Being a professional photographer, under the banner of On The Move Photography, Erick has a yearning to expand his natural life photography. We follow him as Veteran Aperture on Instagram. And a hint is that his best work is featured in his stories.
That name gives you the hint that Erick served in the armed forces, in fact the US Navy. That also goes a way to explaining that he is also a supporter of Merging Vets and Players, an organisation that recognises and assists combat vets and former professional athletes who face difficulties after leaving service. "MVP is here to show you’re not alone. Whether it's combat camouflage or a sports jersey, our MVP members help each other find a new identity, — find greatness again — after the uniform comes off. "
Erick loves being in the outdoors and aims to expand his photography of the natural world. Already his work has been featured by the National Park Conservation Association.
We are very excited to hear that Erick is now saving up to chase his dream of thru hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2022. One of the United States' iconic trails it runs for 2,650 miles (4,265 kilometers) from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington.
We can't imagine the photos that will emerge from that adventure!
When you are self employed, carving out a six month space to hike the PCT requires planning and savings.
It may interest some of our US readers that Erick apart from being available for professional photo shoots is spending his spare time creating hand carved artefacts such as pipes, incense stands, spoons etc which would make excellent and distinctive gifts. Do Erick and yourself a favour by checking out his wares.
CONTACT Erick for more info otm.photoimage@gmail.com
As well as Erick and his work being featured in our leading photo here's a grab of some of his recent work.
Tangles and Tail back on the trail (in Tasmania)
Time flies even in a pandemic! It has nearly a year since Lucy Barnard cut short her epic challenge to walk the Americas. Rather than being stranded for the term of the pandemic in Columbia, Lucy returned home. Emotionally cut by having to leave Wombat behind and of course having to step away from her journey, Lucy has finally resurfaced.
Hopefully you’ll get a sense of why it’s taken her a year to write: Pressing Pause and Leaving Wombat Behind
She will be out hiking over the coming months including becoming a guest guide on some multi-day luxury hikes in Tasmania. If this interests you, please be sure to let Lucy know so you don’t miss out, as numbers for the Tasmanian walks will be limited.
The Walking Traveller
This month we heard from Helen, a hike loving Victorian. Turns out that Helen has a passion for long distance hiking having completed the 800km Camino De Santiago in 2013.
Recently celebrating her 70th birthday, Helen says, "I love walking, hiking, either along a Beach , Bush Track or along The Long and Winding Road. Whether it is a day walk or on multi day hike, I love them all. The friends I have made from all parts of our beautiful world out on the trail has been amazing. All with a common thread to see the world, challenge themselves, step out of their comfort zone, to feel, hear, smell and sense the surrounds and leave their footprints in the world."
You can see more about Helen's hikes on her blog: thewalkingtraveller.com .
Customer Satisfaction Survey
Thank you to everyone who responded to our annual Customer Satisfaction Survey.
We email out invitations to the survey to people who have purchased ArmaSkin in a prior 12 month period.
We were pleased to see that once again we received a high satisfaction level. We are still going over all the responses we received.
ArmaSkin News Reader's Special
As we head off into another challenging year here's a little helping hand.
Use code FebNews21 for your 20% liner sock discount till 2 March!!
Click here to SHOP NOW
FOR THE AVID HIKER:
ArmaSkin Hiking Magazine : subscribe for FREE!
If you would like to get a regular dose of FREE interesting articles for hikers please subscribe to our online ArmaSkin Hiking Magazine.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LATEST EDITION
If you are a BLOGGER or have an interest in reaching this community, we might very well include your material in our Magazine for free. Just email ian@armaskin.com to discuss.
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WIN WIN WIN
MONTHLY opportunity to win FREE ArmaSkin -
please share your picture stories with us.
Stories from you, the happy wearers of ArmaSkin, are our most powerful learning and marketing tool. We thus encourage you to tell us about your experiences and adventures with ArmaSkin.
For your chance to win your choice of a pair of ArmaSkin liner socks simply email : sales@armaskin.com a picture of you on the go using an ArmaSkin product together with a short comment about the picture. Or you can #ArmaSkin in a social media post that could come to our attention.
If the picture is featured in a 2021 edition of ArmaSkin News the monthly prize is yours.
This month's prize goes to Helen for her terrific pic.
ArmaSkin is Australia's own top selling, locally made, anti-blister liner sock.
ArmaSkin is Australia's own top selling, locally made, anti-blister liner sock.
