How was your New Year's holiday? I spent most of mine eating, drinking, drinking, drinking, and sleeping—basically just drinking my way through the holidays.
To Mt. Hoken in the Central Alps
As if to whip my body back into shape, I climbed Mt. Hoken. This is a very popular mountain because you can take a bus and then a ropeway from the Ina area to reach an altitude of 2,612m in one go, making it easy to enjoy spectacular views. It’s packed with climbers regardless of the season. I often see trails congested with climbers, and this day was no exception—there was a long queue. We decided to take a different path, the Sagidar Ridge, which is a variation route (a route that requires route-finding rather than following a standard trail) to ascend Mt. Hoken.
The snow from the previous day allowed us to enjoy breaking trail, and even though it was a short trip, it served as perfect practice for the start of the season—including using an ice axe (an essential winter climbing tool for preventing slips and scaling rock or ice walls) and climbing rock sections by engaging the front points of our crampons (metal spikes attached to boots to prevent slipping/falling on ice or frozen snow).
I had anticipated sections where we would need to set up ropes, but we ended up not needing to, which saved more time than expected. It finished sooner than I thought and left me feeling a bit unsatisfied, but it was a fulfilling day of training nonetheless.
The importance of a base layer to prevent sweat chill
It was very warm that day, but once we reached the ridge, a wind kicked up as if the calm weather we’d had until then was a lie. I’m very particular about my base layers in winter to avoid sweat chill, and this time I was wearing the ACLIMA W’s Woolnet Crew Neck (for men, the ACLIMA M’s Woolnet Crew Neck).
One characteristic is that it’s made of merino wool, so it’s comfortable to wear, but the best part was that I didn’t get chilly from sweat even when exposed to the wind on the ridge. Because it’s a mesh fabric, it’s see-through and quite embarrassing to wear on its own, but this very mesh is what reduces the contact area between your body and your clothing, quickly venting the vapor emitted from your body to keep you dry. Additionally, the mesh creates an air layer between your skin and the base layer, maximizing the insulating properties of the merino wool. It’s hard to get sweaty-cold, and it’s warm to boot.
I also did a "smell test" immediately after descending, and as expected from merino wool, there was no noticeable odor. I wear synthetic base layers often too, but that characteristic post-sweat smell of synthetic fibers is truly unpleasant, isn't it?
During the current cold season, preventing your body from cooling down while active on mountains or rides is crucial. I’ve had an experience where a friend became incapacitated due to hypothermia while climbing a snowy mountain, so this is a must-have item for mountaineering or rides with intense temperature changes. If you’re prone to sweat chill, a heavy sweater, or get cold easily, why not start by rethinking your base layer? This is a piece I definitely want you to try this winter.
[ACLIMA] W’s Woolnet Crew Neck
Material : 120G WOOLNET: 80% Merino Wool, 20% Polyamide
RIB: 96% Merino Wool, 4% Elastane
Color : Jet Black
Size : XS, S, M
Price : ¥12,000 (excl. tax)
[ACLIMA] Woolnet Crew Neck
Material : 120G SOFT MERINO WOOL, 91% Merino Wool, 7% Polyamide, 2% Elastane
Color : Jet Black / Olive Night
Size : XS, S, M, L
Price : ¥12,000 (excl. tax)