Mud Season at Alpine Luddites

Hi everyone

I apologize for falling off the radar a little bit in regard's to my email updates. There were a lot creative projects that got built but the last couple weeks left me feeling drained and distracted by other responsibilities. I have built more stock and custom bags and packs since I finished the house than in all of 2024 and late 2023.My plan is to keep this pace until I am caught up to 12-16 months of waiting.

There is a separate email coming by the end of the week with an update on how I am taking on new work moving forward.

the most recent has been a large run of messenger bags for Alpine luddites, there are 2 available, and we are helping out Arya and Ronnie of Ron's bikes by building batches of their canvas musette bags.I took this work on for Anna & Ruth ann to have more days during the winter.

Mud season is here, so I can’t readily drive up my 1/4 mile long driveway. It also means spring is soon approaching and another round of building is on the horizon. I have to finish the interior of the new Alpine Luddites shop and eventually relocate back home. I paid the electrician a deposit to run power to the new shop, but the ground is still frozen ( mud season) so i have to wait till he can install grounding rods. Once that is done I may take 10-14 days off and bust out the shop interior on the 2nd floor.

The photo below is from 2 weeks ago, the snow is mostly gone but the mud is still here.

My driveway looks like this, but no snow.

Current state of the new shop

current interior of the shop

I will be in the UK April 29th-May 8th for my pack making class in Wales. I am happy to meet any customers who want to talk about their order, get measured and see some of the packs I will have with me. I will be in Llanberis the entire time. I will be bringing over 2 -100L packs for customers, a Hot Earth and a 135L duffel.

The NWAlpine Hoodies have been shipped and they will be at my shop this week. A few of the W’s sizes were not done, but Bill is having them produced and will be here fairly soon. Right Bill?? There are a few extra in most sizes. I will post those after all orders are filled and there's no need for size exchanges.

I still have a small amount of inventory available to ship now:
2 messenger bags
2 or 3 sets of black VX42 HAB Panniers
1 seat bag
a few Fanny packs
some dyneema Pantone zip bags

That's all for now other than some photos below of custom gear from the last 6 weeks.

JC