Backpacking is a bit of a funny world. It’s not really a sport, but the gear associated with it is very technical. There are some people who haven’t upgraded their year in decades, and others who buy a new setup each year. The advancements in gear go through plateaus and spurts. Recently, the Ultralight trend […]
Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight 60 Backpack Review Read More »
A couple years ago I heard the news that Yeti, the famous cooler and drinkware brand, bought out backpack maker Mystery Ranch, and was a bit confused. The synergy didn’t make sense. But that’s because I totally misread what the YETI brand really means. When it comes down to it, YETI is about durability, rigidity,
We Tested Yeti’s Skala Backpack In The Mountains: A Review Read More »
Quick Stats Difficulty: Strenuous (17% average grade).Elevation Gain: 1,200m+Distance: 14km (round trip).Best For: Fit hikers, technical scramblers, and alpine photographers.Pro Tip: This is a “joint-killer” descent. If you value your knees, don’t do this without trekking poles. There are some places that really stand out for its majesty, and I don’t use the word “majesty”
Wedge Mountain: Garibalidi Provincial Park, BC, Canada Read More »
WHISTLER, BC, APR. 1, 2026 BC Parks officials announced earlier this morning a landmark deal between Vail Resorts, parent company of Whistler/Blackcomb, and the BC Government for a transfer of Blackcomb Glacier Provincial Park “This is a monumental exchange that will bring much needed revenue to the BC government, while at the same time providing
Vail Resorts Closes $50 Million Acquisition of Blackcomb Glacier Provincial Park Read More »
In the world of hardshell jackets, Gore-Tex is the gold standard. Let’s get that out of the way right now. But Gore-Tex is a material, and material only goes so far. What separates a good jacket from a bad one is function, style, and utility. And for a solid all-around jacket that is lightweight, packable,
Marmot Orion Gore-Tex Hardshell Jacket Review Read More »
A good helmet needs to be protective but not noticeable. Anon’s Merak does that better than any I’ve tested, period. Thankfully, it’s more strange to see someone skiing or snowboarding without a helmet these days on the slopes. While there are still some purists who refuse to wear one, the data is pretty clear that
Anon Merak Wavecel Ski and Snowboard Helmet Review Read More »
It has been an interesting season in the Northern Hemisphere. 2026 will go down as one of variability. Much of North America had some unseasonable warmth at some point, and some less-than-welcome droughts, only to be hit with surprise storms that unleashed a ton of precipitation in a matter of days, and then dry up
Spring Has Sprung: How To Navigate Mountains Safely In A Season of Change Read More »
One of the great joys of snowboarding vs. skiing is having soft boots. Of course, there are many more reasons in this author’s humble opinion… but we can stick to the boots being a major differentiator these days. And having soft boots may not be the most efficient way to travel, but it sure wins
ThirtyTwo Jones MTB Lite Splitboard Boots Review Read More »
Author’s Note: This article stems from a core belief that has guided my work in backcountry education: there should be no gatekeepers in the mountains, only mentors. While professional guiding is a vital service, the “trust me” model is increasingly at odds with a public that is more educated and empowered than ever before. This
Why Backcountry Guides Must End the “Trust Me” Model Read More »
We spend countless hours pouring over avalanche forecasts, analyzing snowpits, and meticulously packing our backpacks. But out in the backcountry, one of the most dangerous hazards doesn’t come from a buried persistent weak layer or a sudden spike in temperature. It comes from inside our own heads. As human beings, our brains are wired to
Heuristic Traps: Navigating Invisible Human Factors In The Backcountry Read More »