The best-laid plans often go awry, and climbing plans are no different. I had grand plans to test out the Outdoor Research Interstellar Bivy on a trip to Mt. Katahdin in Maine, but due to permitting problems I was forced…
Water is often scarce in the desert (if you haven’t heard). I’ve been in some pretty sketchy circumstances on 100+ degree summer days 15 miles into the backcountry only to realize that the promised spring at my destination had run…
The Wells is one of Native’s new sunglasses, fulfilling a vital role in both their lifestyle and performance lines. It is a necessity that sunglasses fill the role of performance fit and functionality while looking good enough to protect your…
I had a chance to test out one of MSR’s newest stove systems, the WindBurner Stove System, over the course of 3 months in Colorado and Utah. The version of the stove I tested is a remote canister stove that…
As a Registered Nurse, I see countless things that are disturbing and disgusting. Feet being one of them. They cause people pain and discomfort and are just plain weird. It takes energy to find shoes that work. Those of you…
Backpacks: the epitome of life. Think about it. Whether you are a professional alpinist, a preschool student or anything in between, you own a backpack. And while backpacks have come a long way from when the first zippered backpack was…
The waterproof and minimalist backpack ready for your next alpine adventure. The alpine provides conditions that are harsh, and sometimes inhospitable. High winds, cold temperatures, and freezing rain can be common occurrences up high where the trees don’t grow. Despite…
I’ve always been a big advocate for anything that falls into the category of the “Sun Hoodie.” As someone who spends 100+ days in the summer working outside, often for extended periods, it’s inconvenient, and unhealthy to be wearing so…
The G3 Scala LT climbing skin is durable and compacts well. It is well thought out and the design makes many improvements on the standard nylon climbing skin that most of us have used over the years. Performance My first…
Together, Outdoor Research’s BlackPowder II Jacket and Pants make a versatile, feature-filled snowsuit that is ready to tackle a variety of conditions both in the backcountry and at the resort. To test it, I wore it backcountry skiing in weather…