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THE FIFTY PROJECT - WATCH SEASON 4 HERE
LÉ BENT is proud to be an official sponsor of Cody Townsend's FIFTY Project — a herculean quest to ski ‘The 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America.’ Watch the latest episode below: We asked Cody what drove him to pursue the Fifty... “The FIFTY was started because I was searching for something new in skiing.” “I’d spent the prior decade chasing the highest performance downhill, big mountain focused skiing I could. Eventually I felt like I’d tapped out all my dreams, goals and challenges within that realm,” said Cody. “As skiing is a sport with an unlimited amount of ways you can do it, I started being drawn into the human-powered approach to skiing big lines, to expeditions to far flung corners of the world and to skiing iconic peaks that had no mechanized access.” To date, Cody’s been joined by a number of big-name, big mountain riders as well as lesser known but equally respected locals. From the likes of snowboarder and activist Jeremy Jones, to photographer Jimmy Chin , climber Alex Honnold and fellow Le Bent team rider Elyse Saugstad (who also happens to be Cody’s better half). “There is no getting around the complete punishment your feet go through on tours for the Fifty," said Cody. "You’re gonna get them wet, sweaty and cold at times. But minimizing those impacts with better materials and innovations like the heel grip strips on the Pro Series Sock helps you get through the day.” “I know with those socks I’m gonna have less chance of blisters, which could be trip enders, and more chance for warm feet which makes the challenges that you’re gonna face just a little bit easier.” “My gear decisions are always changing, always nuanced and always adapted to bring the highest level of comfort, safety and chances for success. I’m super calculated with every piece of gear I bring out there because without good gear, this project wouldn’t be possible.” One unsung item that Cody has worn up and down all of his Fifty lines, is a Lightweight Le Bent Baselayer. "Layering is everything because one of the most important aspects of big backcountry missions is temperature management," said Cody. “I’ve found with base layers, the combo of wool and synthetic, like the Le Bent Merino & Bamboo Rayon blend provides a perfect blend of maintaining warmth and being dry” Check out Cody's bonus guide to layering from Season 3 of The FIFTY below.
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LÉ BENT TURNS 10 - A LETTER FROM THE FOUNDERS
LÉ BENT is 10 years old this year. At least, it is on paper. In truth, it was born a long time before that. Our story as co-founders goes back to the early 80’s. Two toddlers stoked and throwing sand at each other in a sand pit behind a semi detached house in Sydney’s beachside suburbia. We grew up together by the beach and in the mountains and our paths crossed as we travelled the world and chased snow in search of memories and moments. We left corporate careers and professional skiing behind for the university of life. A van for a home, surfing, skiing big lines and snowboarding. We linked up again in Val d'Isere where Simon was chasing big mountain lines. Anthony’s short detour to catch-up, turned into a long detour, and he didn’t leave. It was here that big mountains and alpine good times were lived to the fullest, and importantly for Lé Bent, the synergy of a foot, a sock and a ski boot was finely honed in one of Europe's preeminent ski boot fitting labs. We fitted everyone. From hardcore skiers in the Boot Lab, to rock stars like Paul McCartney in his private chalet. To us, bootfitting and happy feet translated directly into more stoke and enjoyment on the hill. Working in the boot fitting trenches, we noticed the lack of consideration for socks, and how often a ski boot and sock ruined a day on the mountain. So uninspired were we by the available socks at the time, each season ended in the tradition of a bonfire of old synthetic socks. You could say Lé Bent rose from these ashes. We took inspiration from mother nature, partnered with Australia’s leading scientific body the CSIRO, and crafted our award winning Signature Blend of merino wool and bamboo rayon. Back home in Australia, the first Lé Bent sock was born to ensure a sock never ruined another epic moment in the mountains again. Both of us inspected every pair of socks we made in that first year. That was 5,000 pairs, scrutinized under a head torch, in a freezing cold garden shed in the middle of winter. Product quality was at the core from day one. Thankfully, they sold out. We visited 50+ factories throughout Asia, immersed ourselves in the production process and survived a high speed motorway crash when the driver fell asleep at 3am. We got haircuts and went to countless tradeshows. We were surprised to get invited back after the second one, when we rocked up with no product samples, only empty cardboard packaging. Somehow, we still doubled our sales and celebrated by drinking beers out of foot-long bamboo schooners – our other, thankfully less documented, brainchild. Despite our mothers saying it was the best socks they’d ever worn, it took the same message from professional skiers like Cody Townsend to convince us. We’ve since partnered with the world’s best and applied our Signature Merino Blend to all first-on-skin layers. Since the socks felt so good, it was logical to wrap the rest of our body in this goodness. Head to toe. Balaclavas, base layers and soon, merino mid layers. After 10 years we’ve learned that a great sock and layer provides a feeling of stoke and anticipation when you slip it on. Plus, the knowledge that today is going to be a good day and comfort is guaranteed. It does its job selflessly, relentlessly, day in, day out, while you forget you’re even wearing it. Plenty has changed since 2012 when we pulled on a pair of our prototype socks and took them off four days later. What hasn’t, is our blend still suppresses odour like nothing else and is now enjoyed by thousands of feet all over the world, across ski slopes, dirt trails and single tracks. The best moments to us are still found outside, unplugged from the matrix in natural and urban playgrounds. From driving snow pelting your face while the wind whistles on wild pow days, to the unique sounds of Aussie bird calls in the bush as you snake down perfect dirt berms, to the smell of rain sizzling on the hot concrete in a summer storm as you pound the pavement. How do you make a sock? Bent. – Anthony and Simon, Co-Founders, Froth Lords, Merino Blend Barons
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LÉ BENT WELCOMES MICHELE GRAGLIA TO THE TEAM
Michele Graglia competes in the gnarliest running races on the planet. When he’s not competing against others, he’s setting records and racing himself. To that end, he’s set Guinness World Records for running across the Atacama Desert in Chile (600 miles in 8 days) and after that, the Gobi Desert in Mongolia (1100 miles in 23 days). Mickey won the Yukon Arctic Ultra in temperatures below -40°C (-40°F), and he won the Badwater 135 in Death Valley, with temperatures above 54°C (130°F), making him the first person in history to win both the hottest and coldest foot races on the planet. It would be an incredible feat for someone who had cut their teeth — or rather, their feet — on trails from a young age. So it’s even more impressive given the fact Mickey was more familiar with runways than running as a former top fashion model and only took up trail running at 27 years old. INTRODUCING THE MICKEY GRAGLIA PRO SERIESZERO CUSHION 3/4 CREW TRAIL SOCK SHOP NOW We caught up with Mickey to officially welcome him to the Lé Bent team and figure out how he keeps putting one foot in front of the other. LB: Hey Michele, what’s up! We’re stoked to finally be able to share with the world that you’ve joined the Lé Bent trail team. Welcome!! MG: I really appreciate and super excited to join the Team! I'm looking forward to see what we can achieve together! We almost didn’t know where to stop when it came to listing your achievements above. We reckon you’d be hard pressed to find a more impressive ultramarathon resume than yours. There are so many to choose from but can you tell us which race or races in particular have left a lasting impression on you? I always found the most extreme races to be the most memorable. It's never really about the results for me and I love the challenge of course though the one thing that truly keeps me going back for more is the opportunity to connect with the most pristine, untouched and raw side of Nature. The senses are heightened and when I feel the most alive. Following these thoughts, and to answer your question, Tor des Geants, this September!! It is the hardest ultra trail race in the world: 330km through the most rugged trails in the Italian Alps. In addition to the many races you’ve competed in, you’ve also achieved a number of solo world records and FKT’s. How do these projects come about and how do they differ from racing for you? I love both racing and explorations as they all allow to stretch our boundaries and grow, although I found personal expeditions to offer a much deeper and personal experience. When the competition is removed they become unique opportunities to truly connect with oneself, to feel completely submerged in the experienced and fully present in the moment. Now, help us settle an office bet. Was it harder to run across the Atacama Desert or the Gobi Desert? Not just by distance but the Gobi was a way greater challenge than the Atacama.The Mongolian desert is ruthless and only gave hard blows. Facing strong, gutsy, incessant winds for days on end through a seemingly endless vast steppe.We went from desert dunes to high mountain passes and temperatures that could range daily between -10C to +40C. It was by far the hardest challenge I have faced up until then. We’ve got a fair few deserts here in Australia. Maybe we’ll have to get you down under to see how they stack up! It is a life dream of mine to cross Australia! I have always been fascinated and cannot quite honestly wait to start planning the crossing! Now running across deserts is a far cry from strolling down a runway. What drew you to trail running and made you leave what we can only imagine was a pretty cushy lifestyle as a top fashion model? Modelling began as my American Dream though the perks of that fast lifestyle soon showed their ugly side. While being at the top I had fallen to the bottom. I felt disconnected, lost and alone. During the most critical time in my life, I discovered trail and ultra running. Running through Nature showed me a new way of life. A new perspective. As cliche as it may sound, running did save my life and became an opportunity to reconnect with myself at the deepest level. You’ve developed a reputation as someone who can handle any environment, terrain and temperature. Did this happen naturally or did you seek out events with completely opposite temperatures like the Yukon Arctic Ultra and Badwater? I was drawn to them in a very primal and simple way. I wanted to feel for myself the power of the most extreme sides of Nature. There are some similarities with Lé Bent there as far as, cold and hot, snow and sand. What attracted you to Le Bent? The outstanding quality of the products! How have you enjoyed running in our Signature Merino Blend socks? I certainly love how comfy and soft they are! Also, I felt like the "wrap around" perfectly fits and supports the arch and the ankle too. I love them and keep them on all day, running or chilling. The breathability is an outstanding asset too as I can go for hours on end with perfectly dry feet! How valuable is something like a fresh pair of socks when you’re running for over three weeks straight as you did in Mongolia? Keeping the feet happy in long traverses is fundamental and a fresh pair always rewards you with a sense of renewed energy and light feel! Most valuable! Which characteristics of your new sock do you like the most? This sock is exceptionally breathable and ideal for long distance endeavours where you need to keep your feet dry. The merino blend fabric offers amazing comfort and the arch wrap around gives optimal support and stability. So, what else can we look forward to from you this year? I am going to run the Lavaredo Ultra Trail at the end of June, part of the UTMB circuit. In September I am going to face the Tor des Geants, in Valle D'Aosta, in the heart of the Italian Alps. I am then running the Gran Sasso, OneHundred World Series Final in October. I also have a couple of expedition options for the end of the year, but that's still a secret. ;) ABOUT MICHELE Age: 38 Hometown: Sanremo, Italy Nationality: Italian / American Sponsors: Le Bent, TransPerfect, LaSportiva, Garmin, SaltStick, ShPlus, Vespa, NW Curve Favourite Le Bent gear: the Terra Ultra Light 3/4 Crew Trail Socks or the shorter Ultra Light Mini Trail Socks. Follow Michele here: Instagram SHOP THE NEW MICHELE GRAGLIA PRO SERIES SOCK HERE
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WOMEN’S WEEK AT BALDFACE LODGE WITH LEONIE WOHL
Leonie Wohl had the pleasure of skiing up north this winter despite living down here in Australia. We’d be lying if we said we weren’t a little jealous of her last-minute trip when she pitched it to us, but we also wanted to hear all about it when she got back. If you also feel like a vicarious shred at a world-class lodge with a bunch of ripping women, read on! WOMEN'S WEEK AT A BACKCOUNTRY LODGE WORDS BY LEONIE WOHL PHOTOS BY LAUREN POWERS Maybe you were lucky enough to get some epic pow turns with friends this northern winter, maybe you’re dreaming about the same to come in the Southern Hemisphere (fingers crossed!). Well, I was lucky enough to get those pow turns, not only with one of my best girlfriends, but with a bunch of other women, across four epic days in a bucket-list location. Just over 50 women (including our female guides) came together, all with a different story and journey — some travelling with old friends, some travelling solo and making new friends along the way, and some even running into unexpected old connections in the departure zone of Nelson Airport. The one thing we all had in common was the desire to connect to like-minded lady shredders. We knew that the week would be full of those feel-good vibes, of lifting each other up and making memories and friendships to last a lifetime. Now, if you haven’t heard of Baldface Lodge or aren’t familiar with what’s on offer — it’s a private cat-skiing lodge just north of Nelson, in British Colombia, Canada. It’s well worth putting it on the bucket list! There is a waitlist of more than a year and it’s home to Stop #2 of the Natural Selection Tour (the stop that Lé Bent team rider Dustin Craven won this season). The Lodge has access to more than 32,000 acres of land for your shredding pleasure, set deep in the Selkirk Mountain Range. The terrain is epic and has it all — steeps, tree riding, open mellow fields and the one-and-only ‘Scary Cherry’ Natural Selection course. How did I get one of these limited spots for Baldface Lodge? It’s simple, take your friends with you! Now, I don’t mean just invite your crew on a weekend away. What I mean is, when the opportunity presents itself for your own success, networking and progression, pull your support network up to your level and bring them on the journey with you. And that my friends, is exactly how I got on this trip of a lifetime! Throwback to December 2021 — Australia is just starting to see the light at the end of the Covid tunnel, and international travel is becoming a thought we now dare entertain… it's within reach. And just like that, it’s like the universe in all her wisdom knew it was time. I got a call from my USA-based best girl, excited that we Aussies were finally getting let out… Her next sentence set me into a spin… “I got you a spot at Baldface for Women’s Week with me!” You’re kidding! Not only did my girl get on this trip, but she also got me and two others from her hometown on it too. And as she would say… "Duh, of course my girls are coming!" Fast-forward 3 months, time to dust off the board bag, dig out the base layers and jetset off to the other side of the world, crossing my fingers and toes that Mother Nature was on our side and had something up her sleeve in the form of April pow for one epic girl’s trip! What is Women’s Week all about? Women’s Week Baldface is about celebrating connection, it’s about coming together for a common love of snowboarding, it’s about sparkle parties, cocktails, bonfires, birthdays, and having one hell of a time making memories with all the #baldfacebabes — guests, guides and staff! It’s about sharing your story, your journey, inspiring others and being inspired in return. And this year’s gathering of shred sisters did not disappoint! There were your everyday ‘leisure athletes’ and mums taking time out from busy lives and jobs to do what brings them joy; there were aspiring, semi and retired pros; there were survivors of breast cancer and the incredible women who run B4BC; there were entrepreneurs carving their place in the world, bringing more options for women’s specific gear. We were young women and young-at-heart women, and then there were the boys of Baldface who were stoked to have the vibe of Women’s Week descend upon them. We were even lucky enough to have the one-and-only Baldface regular, Jess Kimura, spend the week with us — riding with us, sharing stories of building Scary Cherry in summer, and a special night sharing her story and movie with us. Having someone who is such a legend, who has done so much and is still pushing so hard for women in snowboarding, shredding alongside us all week was pretty cool and an absolute honour. But, what Baldface is really about, is the pow turns and Mother Nature, she delivered! So, now we have the vibe check, what does the week look like? After the heli uplifts and an afternoon of settling into the lodge, drinks, and setting up or waxing boards, we settled into a three-course dinner, a briefing on how the week would run, instructions for our first morning and a choice to either relax or kick on at the bar. Walking back to the chalet, snow started falling. About 5cm fell on the first night and would be the start of the snowfall that increased each day – thank you, Mother Nature! We spent the first hour or so completing an avalanche safety refresh and practised using our beacons. We got to know the guides and our cat driver. As cat #4, my group was the last to leave, at first thinking maybe we were missing out on precious shredding time, but we soon realised we had absolutely struck gold with our guides – the legendary ‘Walrus’ and Florida-girl-turned-Nelson-local, Tammy. Walrus, knowing all the best spots as a long-time guide for Baldface, had us on fresh tracks across all four days. Not just good for fresh tracks, Walrus also delivered on the bad jokes and witty Canadian one-liners throughout the day. We averaged around 3500 vertical metres or about 12 runs and rode from about 8:30 – 3:30 each day. Lunch was eaten out on the cat — tunes playing, absolute stoke, big smiles — then beers on the way back to the lodge. The post-ride schedule was full of aprés, dinner, massages, bonfires, a movie night, photo slideshows of each day, fireworks, one very epic sparkle party — rinse and repeat! Four days of pow shreds, good times, new friendships and belly laughs for days. I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of women to share the week with! New connections, shared ideas and goals and promises of future — Women’s Week isn’t just at Baldface but all over the world. The week was exactly what you can hope for when such an inspirational and passionate bunch of shred sisters take over the ultimate cat-skiing destination. So, as we head into the Aussie season, I’m filled with ambition to bring more of that vibe to the Women’s Backcountry community, to grow the community and provide more opportunities for women to build connections and get out there! So, watch this space because who runs the world? Girls!
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TRAIL RUNNER TOM BATROUNEY'S AMBITIOUS PROJECT TO RUN FOREVER
PRF UPDATE: WATCH THE NEWLY RELEASED FILM BELOW! Can you run forever in a few pairs of socks? Team Runner Tom Batrouney wanted to find out, so we slung him a bunch of fresh socks from our New Trail Collection, and cheered from the bushes as he literally ran laps around us at a local trail at Manly Dam in Sydney. Tom planned to run 10km laps around the Dam, for as long as he possibly could, maybe even forever. Three pairs of socks and 140km later, Tom called it a day — 36 hours after he started running. Below Tom writes about why he set this impossible goal and what running forever means to him. PROJECT: RUN FOREVER by Tom Batrouney I always wanted to run forever. Ever since entering the world of running on the school oval, it was always in the back of my mind. My body just wasn't built for speed. I knew this, but finding a distance long enough was almost as impossible as the concept of pushing myself to my very limit and beyond for, well, forever. Could I run forever? Haha, don't be ridiculous. That's what people would say so that's what I would say to myself. Then I stumbled into the world of ultra-trail running. A world not so much about speed but using your body and mind to travel through nature over absolute mind-blowing distances. I spent years in the bush training, on the physio table and in the gym, making myself indestructible physically and mentally. I spent time getting to know my body, what was strong and what was weak. A weakness in everyday life is fine but a weakness over 36 hours of running with no sleep will become the most painful experience of your life. Tom hitting his stride during one of the easier sections of trail in his Run Forever route. Nature has been a constant in my life. From watching every single animal documentary sitting on my Dad's knee to dedicating my life to protecting and promoting it, nature has always been there. Every single thing I have in my life has come to me, not by luck but by impossibly hard work and lessons learnt in nature. Nature has taught me when to be hugely powerful and confident but that it can reduce me to an adult man curled in a ball on the ground crying. It demands respect but needs care and there is a way to harness it to allow for all that is good in this world to flow into your life. The key is not nature, stay with me, the key is you, yep you, people are the key. There was a rotating crew of trail lovers and friends who came down to support Tom in his attempt to run forever. Absolutely everyone can do absolutely anything. It all just comes down to what you listen to, what you think and what you tell yourself. Is running forever ridiculous? If so, why? What about when you were a kid and you didn't care what people thought. Was it ridiculous to climb that tree that everyone said you couldn't? Things can only be ridiculous until you say you're doing them and then once you do that they go from ridiculous to an action, a movement or a conscious 'thing' you are doing. They transcend words and talk and enter the world as physical action and this is where I get really excited. Tom hydrating and stretching the hips at the aid station after lap number 4... that is, over 40km into his run. So why would I run forever? Why not — is really the best answer in the world. Why the hell not. All of the reasons not to, can become reasons to, if you attack them one by one, throw fake caution to the wind and are willing to face fears head on, over and over and over again until they become your best friends. I set out at 7am on April 8th to run continuous 10km loops of Manly Dam on what was potentially the wettest day on record and my plan was to run forever. What better way to test the new trail range. Lé Bent team runner Vlad Shatrov joined Tom for a few laps and wore the new Terra Ultra Light 3/4 Crew Trail Socks. After 30km — much of which underwater — they were not so 'winter white'. Tom's in the background wearing the slightly more cushioned Terra Light 3/4 Crew Trail Sock in Konbu Green. I wanted to push myself so far beyond my physical and mental limits to show both myself and those I can reach, that our planet is worth fighting for. Not to sacrifice myself like a martyr but to show myself in my rawest, most beaten down, pure form because that is where the power is. PROJECT: RUN FOREVER was something I could DO. “This loop is, without doubt, one of the most challenging trails out there! It's constantly changing incline, direction and surface making rhythm difficult and adding to the difficulty of the challenge. Then add in the conditions encountered, flooded, wet and rutted out! Constant focus was needed so as not to fall or get injured, sections of thick mud added additional fatigue, harder than the UTA100 for sure and reminded me of the 2018 Tarawera mudfest!." - Vlad Shatrov Tom and Vlad quickly discovered what condition the trail was in — or rather, how much water it was under — after just 3km. We set out with 3 goals, to keep me moving for as long as my body and mind would allow, to bring a community of people along for the ride and to raise a huge amount of money for two environmental groups doing critical work for the future of our planet. Spoiler alert, we did all three! The first environmental group was For Wild Places. They are engaging the running and outdoor community to fall in love with nature and fight to keep wild places wild for future generations. It's a new brand of sports activism and man is it important. The other group is Seabin, who are cleaning up our oceans. They're using upstream solutions to catch and analyse rubbish at the source, so that we can, for the first time in history, actually know what is in our harbours, rivers and lakes before it's out into the ocean where it becomes a vastly more difficult problem. I grew up in the ocean surfing and have moved in and out of running on trails and have seen the effect of, well us, on these ecosystems. The relationship between land and sea is something I'm involved with daily and the small thing that I can do is to raise money and awareness for something that everyone cares about but not everyone knows about. “To see the community of runners join in to do their bit was special! My team got so much out of it as I know Tom did too! A collective of like-minded individuals brought together on an awesome adventure." - Vlad Shatrov People are great and I love absolutely everyone. I don't care what you do, what you look like or what the world thinks of you. We are all people, all the same, and love is really where everything that is good starts. If you love someone, you care about them, and if you care about them, then you care about what might happen to them and that right there is the best brand of environmentalism. I’ve competed in and witnessed a few runs for environmental causes now and something really special happens when the purpose of the endurance feat lies far beyond the finish line. It’s difficult to put into words. Tom slipping on a fresh pair of Light 3/4 Crew Trail Socks after 70km's in the Terra's. Another Lé Bent team runner, Paige Penrose, joined Tom for a jaunt and to offer moral support. "The look in Tom’s eyes after lap 5 was not that of someone who had run 50km of definitely not flat, dry trail and who had potentially hundreds of kilometres left," Said Paige. "It was excitement!" “The humans surrounding him handing him potato after potato, topped with a banana or two, finding him dry clothes, taping his feet, doing live videos with various brands and companies or arranging tv news coverage to spread the word further fed off and emulated that drive. Yes, Tom achieved an immense physical performance but the message was clear without words — do not underestimate the power of individual action in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. Especially when it comes to the planet." - Paige Penrose Tom's young son cheering him over the start line for yet another lap. When you're running forever, there's no such thing as a finish line. I love you! I love you so much that I want to fight so that you will at least have a chance to experience what I have in nature. I ran for 140kms, 36 hours and pushed my body and mind to absolute breaking point. I did it for me, so that I can learn and grow and be the change I want to see in the world and I did it for you to inspire you to do something that scares you knowing full well that you have absolutely no idea what you are truly capable of. PROJECT: RUN FOREVER was a lifetime in the making and it was, without doubt, the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. It was terrifying, horribly painful and dark but none of those things will kill you, they will just make you a much better version of yourself. At the time of writing this, we are around $4k short of our $30k goal and donations are still open. Can you spare $23 to remove 250 plastic straws from Sydney Harbour or $250 to inspire a future sports activist? Donate To Project: Run Forever Some final stats from the run: 140kms run 36 hours on feet 30 potatoes consumed 1 pair of shoes worn 3 pairs of Le Bent Trail socks 0 foot issues
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Michael Wirth's Mission To Ski The 59 peaks above 13,000 Feet In The Elks
A recent addition to the team, Michael Wirth is a 23yo ski mountaineer from Aspen, Colorado. Michael had an epic goal last season, and we wanted to tell you about it, but we didn't even know how to put the feat into words. Instead, we thought it should come straight from the horses (or Elk's) mouth. The below was written by Michael. Expect plenty more to come from him. The Beauty and Challenge of Ski Mountaineering in the Elks by Michael Wirth In embarking on a challenge, one that tries all facets of your mental and physical fortitude, you discover a new world within yourself. That is, a sensation of transcendental connection to the world around you. My name is Michael Wirth, I’m a 23-year-old ski mountaineer from Aspen, CO. I just finished a project where I became the first person to climb and ski from the summits of all 59 peaks above 13,000’ in the Elk Mountain Range of Colorado. I did this in 61 days. I’m here to share a glimpse into the challenges and beauty of this journey. Throughout this project and over the years, I’ve found myself falling deeper in love with ski mountaineering: primarily because this sport never ceases to challenge you further – on both mental and physical levels. The most obvious challenge ski mountaineers confront comes with moving in technical and exposed terrain. The difficulty here comes with building a level of mental comfort and physical confidence to make critical moves when the consequence could mean death. Plain and simple: big mountains, ice, and cliffs are hard to move through. Micheal nearing an unnamed summit after another early start. The other challenges that confronted me throughout my project, and the ones I believe to be the greatest challenges, were fatigue and planning. Let’s start with fatigue: to ski off the summit of a remote and steep peak means starting your journey in the middle of the night. In the spring conditions of Colorado ski mountaineering, you must start early to avoid having the sun warm a slope and cause a wet slide avalanche. So, your alarm clock goes off at 2am, you roll out of bed, slam down an espresso and force some oatmeal in. Your body doesn’t want to be awake at this time, and it certainly doesn’t want to digest any food. You remind yourself that you’ll need this energy and that your efforts will be rewarded by the unparalleled beauty of a snow-covered alpine landscape. Doing this a few, or even ten, times in a season isn’t all that bad because a nap awaits you after your trying yet rewarding climb and ski. However, for my project, I didn’t take a nap once. After I finished an objective, my attention immediately turned to the next. In the remaining hours of the day, I was busy driving to the next trailhead, drying out my gear, laying out the food I needed for the next day, and eating what I could in order to stay nourished for the many remaining peaks. Then, you try to go to bed before 8pm to wake up again at 2am and do it all over. For roughly the first 30 summits, this was brutal. My body was resisting falling into a rhythm of waking up in the middle of the night. Consequently, many of those days were fueled by reminding myself: you get to ski, you get to be in the alpine, you get to be in one of the most beautiful places on planet earth. That worked. I moved through the darkness of a forest every early morning waiting for the first light of the day to welcome me. When it did, I never wanted to be anywhere else. Sunrise over the Elks is a small reward for those Alpine starts. Once I reached the halfway mark of the project, I fell into a rhythm. The fatigue was never gone, nor was the confusion of eating breakfast around midnight. But, my body started to harmonize with my mind’s desire to journey into the alpine every day. At this point, things were flowing. I was pretty much in a flow state for an entire month. My routine had been dialed; I reached a point of deep connection and understanding of the Elk Range’s geography and snow conditions that I’d never experienced before; I knew what I had to do to finish the project and my body was trained to follow that desire at an unconscious level. Every part of my being was dedicated and working together to fulfill this dream. Let’s back up for a moment. I mentioned that planning was the other great challenge of this project. The 13,000’ summits in the Elk Range are rarely traveled in both the summer and winter. That means there is very little beta (information about routes previously completed) on these peaks. Within the Elk Range, there are 52 13,000’ summits: only around ten of them had information available on winter climbing and ski descent routes. Consequently, mapping out how to ski off the summits of all 52 peaks became a puzzle. About four months prior to actually setting off to ski the first mountain, I was in heavy information collecting mode. I started off by compiling a list of all the 13,000’ peaks then plotting them onto maps. Here is my first complete map of all 52 summits. Don’t worry, I didn’t just use a paper map as some sort of hipster statement. I think there is something extremely valuable to visualizing a landscape by scratching it up with a pen rather than with a computer cursor. Furthermore, the landscape is set, there’s no zooming in and out or changing axis, thus you get a sense for the absolute layout of a place with a fixed paper map. After getting this initial layout of the Elks etched in my mind, I switched over to using our space-age tech of Caltopo and FATMAP. First, I used FATMAP’s elevation gradient to ensure that I hadn’t missed any 13,000’ summits in the range. Then, I categorized the peaks by their prominent drainage so that I could more easily sort through the sheer number of them. This type of categorization proved to be quite useful later on in the project, as I was prioritizing certain areas of the range depending on how well snow was holding there. Then it came time to start the project. The anticipation was big, particularly because I had spent a lot of time mapping peaks, studying snow forecasts, and performing snow column tests around the areas where I’d be skiing. I was nervous because we had a particularly unstable snowpack this year throughout Colorado, and especially in the Elks. However, the warming temperatures of spring always end up settling the snowpack: it’s just a game of being too early–especially when you’re trying to ski so many peaks in one season. The only way to answer your questions about the snowpack and which lines go or don’t is to head out and assess the conditions with your own eyes. So, I started off by climbing and skiing some summits that were more straightforward: that’s when the true mapping and planning began. Each time I reached a summit, I’d take a panoramic view, note the neighboring 13,000’ summits and scribe some quick notes to myself about prospective ascent and descent routes. This process continued throughout the entire project: I’d continuously get slightly different views of peaks I had yet to ski as I stood on the summits of their neighbors. Then, it just came time to trust what I’d seen, have confidence in my observations about the snowpack, and go ski that line that no one had ever written about and possibly never skied before. It may sound a bit like I was just going for it on those unknown peaks. However, that was never the case. I completed six first descents throughout the two months. For each of those lines, I scoped them from at least three different mountain tops–noting the cruxes, the steep sections, the entrance, and the exit. All of it was very planned. All of it was a collaboration of spending two months fully immersed in the mountains. All of it was a result of listening to my surroundings. The project concluded when I'd skied all 52 13,000’ peaks and seven 14,000’ Elk Range mountains from their summits. That last day was hard. I’d just experienced the most challenging and also most beautiful two months of my life. When you wake up at 2am every day for two months and venture into the alpine, you’re met with the most beautiful moments the world has to offer. The snow-covered mountains turn to the softest blue with the first light of the day. Then, they begin to glow with that unmistakable alpine orange. In those moments, your tiredness disappears, you become overwhelmed with an appreciation for the world at large, and you feel alive. This project meant so much to me, as the Elk Range is home to the wilderness and mountains that I explored throughout my childhood. It feels amazing to have taken this opportunity to turn off the well-traveled path, to explore something new, to experience something like no one has before. I can now say I’m an explorer and I’ve explored something in a deeper way than anyone has before.
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LÉ BENT WELCOMES XAVIER DE LE RUE TO THE TEAM
The acronym G.O.A.T gets thrown around a lot in professional sports. So, perhaps adding the word ‘Mountain’ as a prefix more accurately represents what Xavier De Le Rue is to modern professional snowboarding. A 3 x Freeride World Tour champion and 4 x World Boardercross Champion, Xavier has seen, and probably ridden, it all. Xavier joins Pro Team riders Cody Townsend, Sammy Carlson and Elyse Saugstad and will be flying the Lé Bent boarder flag from the highest peaks. From the Kuril Islands to Antarctica, Vanuatu to Svalbard and Spain, Le Rue arrives at Le Bent HQ with plenty of stories from his many years spent in snowboard boots. “I tried the Lé Bent products for the first-time last year and was super impressed by the quality,” said Xavier. “I saw what my buddy Cody was doing with the guys and wanted to join in!” “We had the idea to make a splitboarding / snowboard specific sock that really fits my riding which I found very appealing.” Taking learnings from the existing Pro Series Socks, Xavier’s snowboard sock which is currently in the final testing stage (you can stay up to date on its development here), will see some unique snowboard specific considerations to ensure a sock, according to Xavier, “without any pressure points where all the binding straps apply pressure.” “I like a sock that is not too thin for touring and with a padding that is different from skiing.” Now making his home in Verbier, Xavier knows the ins and outs of more European big mountain lines than most. However, his exploits have taken him all the way to the poles. When asked where the wildest place his board has taken him? "Antarctica is definitely the one," he says. "5 days in a heavy metal boat, riding through the roughest seas on the planet, and at the end of it, the most magical and powerful mountain environment that I have had the chance to witness." Closer to home, "When I want to go more wild , Chamonix offers a pretty unique access to high alpine mega runs and that is quite special as well." It's also not far from where Le Bent co-founders Simon and Anthony cut their teeth fitting ski boots for over a decade in Val-d'Isère. With such an incredibly rounded snowboarding CV, we asked Xavier what he was most proud of in his career to date — Was it his 3rd FWT world title in a row? An epic first descent in Antarctica? Or being a four time winner of the Verbier Xtreme? His answer actually surprised us, and speaks to his humble reverence for nature and the lines he's ridden. “I think that all the ice riding shots we did for a while are quite a good memory for me as it really launched a new window of runs in the high alpine. I have always tried to think outside of the box and try new things to broaden our spectrum as snowboarders and I am proud to have influenced the sport in that way.” - Xavier De Le Rue Nowadays, Xavier's mission extends beyond riding the steepest, iciest lines — although he's still doing plenty of that too — into the realm of sustainability, within and beyond snowboarding. Having recently attended COP26, Xavier is focused on working with brands to lessen their environmental impact, something we're welcoming from him here at Lé Bent. “I am really trying to influence as much as I can my partners to gradually shift the production of all the products towards a more sustainable version.” “After 22 years of amazing opportunities through snowboarding, my goal now is to pass on my knowledge, in order to inspire others to get out there and enjoy their own adventures.” That goal starts with Lé Bent helping snowboarders find a better fit, so they can take their riding to new heights. Stay up to date as we unveil our new creation with XV here.
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10 Years of SAFE AS Avalanche Clinics With Elyse Saugstad And Friends
In 2012, five icons of backcountry skiing, Ingrid Backstrom, Jackie Paaso, Michelle Parker, Elyse Saugstad, Lel Tone and philanthropist and yogi Sherry McConkey, decided to start a new approach to teaching avalanche courses. Founded on the premise of female-specific snow safety events that were frictionless and affordable, SAFE AS clinics came to fruition and has since educated over 1400 backcountry enthusiasts, raised more than $56,000 for local avalanche centers and other winter community non-profits, and has given more than $15,000 in scholarships for attending courses. Lé Bent pro team rider Elyse Saugstad leading one of the avalanche safety classes last season. Now in year ten, SAFE AS will be conducting one-day women’s-specific and co-ed clinics at Palisades Tahoe, California, the weekends of December 4th-5th, 11th-12th, and Solitude Mountain Resort, Utah the weekend of January 29th-30th. In addition to the founding educators, guest instructors will include professional skier Cody Townsend and other noteworthy snow safety professionals. Lé Bent pro team rider Cody Townsend has been known to make a cameo appearance and drop some knowledge. Each one day event engages participants with classroom and on-mountain instruction following AIARE’s curriculum, capped with morning yoga, companion rescue training, and an aprés party / fundraiser with tons of raffle prizes — including heaps of Lé Bent ski and snowboard socks. SAFE AS offers a range of partial and full scholarships to help ensure that all enthusiast are able to take part. For more information on scholarships, discounts, dates and registration, go to www.safeasclinics.com. For direct contact: safeasclinics@gmail.com
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Lucy Bartholomew on Running The Larapinta Trail - Watch Now
Lucy Bartholomew ran the Larapinta Trail and has the crazy stats and a new film to prove it. Those stats include, 231km of Larapinta trail. 20km of wrong turns and dead ends. 54 hours of running. 5 minutes of sleeping. 2 pairs of shoes. And of 5 pairs of Le Bent socks on rotation. In total Lucy ran 250km. It’s safe to say she learnt a few things about socks, shoes and about herself in the process. We caught up with Lucy this week in the build-up to the release of her film: Running Out Movie. Rent or download the full film now here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/runningout LÉ BENT: Hey Lucy!! It’s been a few months since you ran into Alice Springs during the middle of the night after running the Larapinta. Now, it’s been tough for us keeping much of that story under wraps until now, how excited are you to finally share your documentary of the trip? That must almost feel like another finish line, right! I am so happy. When I crossed that non-existent finish line in Alice Springs, stopped my watch and took my shoes off; I was done. What I didn’t realise is that Bryans (the filmmaker, among other things) own ultra was just beginning. The edit. For 6 months we have gone back and forth with options for the film and ways to tell the story. It is really incredible to see the trip be shared in an incredibly beautiful and authentic way through the film and I just hope that people know that whilst it is a movie about running, the message is deeper than just running. (Top) A young local leads Lucy across the 'finish line' and the emotions and community spirit overflowing afterwards (bottom). Pic cred: Josh Lynott Obviously you and your team (Photographer Josh Lynott and filmmaker Bryan Hynes) were sharing content and updates during the run and afterwards, but do you think there’s a lot that people might not know about the project? Absolutely. I hope this story is shared far beyond the people we, as a team reach on our daily basis. Social media is such a cool tool to connect with people around the world and we really felt that before, during and after. I hope the people that see the film after following along back in March feel like it is a long lost memory for them as well. Like they were there, they were part of the team. The team planning and chatting Larapinta. Pic cred: Josh Lynott For those that find the film with no idea who we are or what we do, I hope they virtually meet us in the Northern Territory, come on this journey with us and appreciate the raw, authentic and human story we are telling and resonate with something along the way. And what a story it is! Is there a single moment that you remember as being particularly gruelling? Oh, so many it is hard to pick!! I distinctly remember leaving the boys after a refuel point and making the decision to carry less water knowing I was going into river beds which had previously been full from some insane rainfall. I remember cresting a mountain ridge and looking out at the river beds below and looking for a glimmer, a reflection of water in the landscape and I saw nothing but dry, hot, Aussie bush. All I could do in that moment was focus on what I could control which was my effort and attitude but I have never had to focus so much on just taking one more step forward. A battered and bruised Lucy somewhere around the halfway mark — Which is already an Ultra Marathon in itself. Pic cred: Josh Lynott You obviously learnt a lot about yourself and your ability to persevere. What are you most proud of from the project? I am certainly most proud of my team and the community of Alice Springs. I have come to know what I expect of myself and what I am capable of. I know I can be stubborn, can suffer and when I commit and care about something not much will stop me. But I didn’t think I would lean so heavily on Josh and Bryan and the community. It was a great lesson for me to ask for help and what gives me the most goosebumps in the film is watching everyone rise up, show up and not give up. I couldn’t have and wouldn’t have wanted to do it without everyone that was there. Lucy getting some warm up runs in around Alice Springs. Pic cred: Josh Lynott In addition to learning about yourself and other people, it sounds like you learnt a lot about running equipment in some pretty harsh conditions too! We know it wasn’t all red desert sand on which you were running… Are we right in thinking there were sections of trail you actually had to swim? We saw the Larapinta trail in some of its most lush, green and water-filled ways it has ever been. The locals that had grown up there said they had never seen it this way so it was a treat to see the river beds full (briefly) and the flora and fauna thriving. The river beds that were full during the run became swims up to chest high… it was incredibly nice to cool off but because it never happens all the trail markers were under water and I was always going too far down the gorges. It's lucky I'm a good swimmer as I held my phone above my head to keep dry and navigate whilst doing one-armed freestyle. Trail runner turned trail swimmer... Pic cred: Josh Lynott You’ve done some serious product testing for us in the past, but it sounds like this might take the cake! What did you learn about the Le Bent threads in the process? I have always loved using the Le Bent sock range and proud to be on the team but I don’t think I have ever had the same level of appreciation for the material I put between me and the ground. I had 5 pairs of socks with the boys to alternate between depending on how my feet were feeling (cushioning) and protection from the trail (heights) as well as the classic stink test. A snapshot of the socks Lucy employed to run over 250km. The Trail Ultra Light Mini's (Top), Outdoor Light Mini Socks (Left) — predominantly hiking socks that provided bonus cushioning underfoot when the going got tough. And our Run Ultra Light Micro Tab Socks for training runs before the big dance in the burning sun (right). Pic cred: Josh Lynott “The best thing about the Le Bent socks for this adventure was the material of the socks; being a blend of bamboo and merino wool it allows for breathability as well as softness and moisture wicking.” I was in and out of water and needed something that dried as fast as my shoes, didn’t make my feet hot for the hours of relentless heat in the day, kept my feet warm in the full moonlit nights we had and lastly didn’t rub, cause blisters, irritate me… not an easy list to fulfil hey? “54 hours and 250km later and there isn’t just one sock but the whole range from Le Bent that ticked these boxes.” - Lucy Bartholomew The ever reliable Lucy Pro Series Sock (Top) with its ultra light cushion and 3/4 crew cut was a staple throughout the run. It was on Lucy's feet at the start and finish line. (Bottom) Lucy promptly asleep in the back of the team 4x4 after completing the run. Pic cred: Josh Lynott Now we all know how much you inspire people to run trails. What advice would you have for a complete beginner and on the other end of the spectrum, what advice would you give to someone wanting to run an Ultra? I would have so many things to say, and so would everyone else; I suppose my advice would be not to try and do exactly what everyone else is doing, wear what they wear, eat what they eat, run how they run — you do you. Find what works for you and find YOUR ‘why’. Why do you want to run an ultra? Why are you going to strive to continuously find time in your day to lace up and run? The most powerful thing my coach said to me before running the Larapinta was uninjured and stoked are all you need to be to make this happen. Be that, and you can do anything. And is there a particular Le Bent sock you’d recommend to either? After working with the Le Bent team to design the Le Lucy Pro Sock I will never look past this sock that has taken me on short runs, long runs, mountain runs, desert runs and road runs. They haven’t failed me and I hope the same for you! The Lucy Pro Series Sock has now won the Ultra Trail Australia and run across much of Central Australia. An ultra tested sock. Pic cred: Josh Lynott
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