I/O Bio Merino Wool

When it is cold and raw, like it is now in Jackson Hole, I reach for my wool. The new Merino wool is not uncomfortable and scratchy like its predecessor. This is not the wool sweater your mother used to throw on you. The new wool is luxuriously comfortable, warm and best of all for the active set, doesn’t smell worse than if  you rolled around in the dogs mess, like most synthetic long underwear, after sweating in it.

The thing I like about I/O Bio is the styling of the pieces. They are made to function for high intensity activities like running, biking, climbing, skiing and snowboarding, but they also look good worn on their own. So you can be just off a backcountry skiing or snowboarding run on Teton Pass, peel off your soft shell jacket and head straight into work with nary a nostril flared nor eyebrow raised.

Last winer Darrel Miller and I partnered for a climb and descent of he Teton Classic West Hourglass Couloir. The WHC rises above Garnet Canyon at a lovely steep angle on a north aspect for around 2,000 plus feet. I was initially snickering at D’s snowshoes until he busted ahead of me as I was too skeched to continue on my split snowboard due to my inability to sink my edges into the firm snow. I was forced to deboard (take off board) and climb. As I started up I sank up to my hips into the snow that was firm enough to support D’s snowshoes but not my Scarpa F1 Boots. That will not happen again as I now have B & D Ski Gear’s super FAT Crampons and will bring them on all splitboarding excursions from now on. It is frustrating putting oneself in a compromised position because of not having an essential piece of gear. Certain pieces of equipment at the right time are key. Check out my gear list here.

Darrel Miller climbing West Hourglass Couloir on Nez Perce.

Darrel Miller shredding West Hourglass Couloir on Nez Perce.

Darrel Miller spraying in West Hourglass Couloir on Nez Perce.

Help support Darrel Miller and Storm Show Studios by buying his sweet snowboarding DVD’s, featuring Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and the Teton Backcountry!

The roof I am climbing on in the video below is 3/4″ plywood with metal T-nuts and eye bolts. Very simple and inexpensive to build. The axes are Petzl Nomics.

Start on a vertical wall and work your way up to the 45 degree wall (door hinges screwed to the wall make great ice axe pick placements!) and then onto the roof. Start slow and be safe. At Mountain Athlete, we put mattresses and other padding down to protect us in case of a fall.

I also feel strongly that rock climbing and mountaineering would be a great addition to any MMA fighter looking to become stronger than the competition. Drop me a note with questions or if interested in group or private instruction.

Enjoy!

Stephen Koch