Our family has a soft spot for small production Made-in-America products. Especially when they are local New England based small businesses with inspiring stories and a just mission. This winter we've been able to test the Vermont based Skida's line of head-wear and accessories and we are ready to share our thoughts! Story/Mission You can … Continue reading Gear Review- Skida Headwear
Climbing Gear Reviews
Gear Review- Avalanche Safety Gear Part 1: Transceivers (Beacons)
Over the last ten years I've had the opportunity to thoroughly test many of the most popular avalanche safety products on the market while teaching close to a dozen avalanche courses each winter. I was already a huge fan of Ortovox products before I was invited to join their Athlete Team and have been sharing … Continue reading Gear Review- Avalanche Safety Gear Part 1: Transceivers (Beacons)
How To: “Belaying in the Gym” by PETZL
Petzl is a well known industry leader in climbing gear and safety. When I first started climbing over 20 years ago I looked forward to each annual Petzl catalog for the wealth of technical information they would include, along with some of the most stunning and inspirational photos! I probably learned as much about climbing … Continue reading How To: “Belaying in the Gym” by PETZL
Best Climbing Gear of 2017
As the year draws to an end I'm looking back at the plethora of amazing advancements in the field of climbing gear and clothing this past season and calling out some of the best stuff I got to review this year that has become a permanent addition to my kit. Check them out below! Petzl … Continue reading Best Climbing Gear of 2017
Tech Tip- Alpine Draws vs Sport Draws for Ice Climbing
I recently conducted an informal survey on a climbing focused Facebook page to determine if what gear I perceive out on our frozen cliffs is an accurate representation of what people are actually carrying. I wasn't too surprised to see the overwhelming majority was using alpine draws (two carabiners and a thin style Dyneema sling … Continue reading Tech Tip- Alpine Draws vs Sport Draws for Ice Climbing
Best Gear Deals for Climbers (Backcountry)
While I'm not super excited about how commercialized our holidays have become I do get stoked on seeing big discounts on gear that I own and love. I subscribe to quite a few gear companies emails and I'm combing them all for the best upcoming sales on specific items I have either reviewed or would … Continue reading Best Gear Deals for Climbers (Backcountry)
20 Holiday Gifts for the Mountain Lover
Chances are if you are reading this you have a climber, skier, hiker, mountain biker, or trail runner in your life. You've probably already started to see "holiday guides" come from various retailers and bloggers. Here I present my personal hand selected gift ideas for the adventurous mountain traveler in your life. Some are locally … Continue reading 20 Holiday Gifts for the Mountain Lover
Gear Review: Cassin X-Dream Ice Axe
The leaves are starting to turn high in our notches so I find myself starting to anticipate another great ice climbing season in the Northeast. Last season I had the opportunity to demo the CAMP/Cassin X-Dream Ice Axes and while I shared my positive impressions of them with dozens of climbing partners I never got … Continue reading Gear Review: Cassin X-Dream Ice Axe
Cascades Climbing Trip Gear List
Those who know me know I can be a little obsessive about gear. I enjoy making detailed gear lists for trips sometimes weighing everything down to the ounce. I shared my first gear list for ski touring in Iceland this past April and most recently in a trip report for climbing Mount Shuksan in the … Continue reading Cascades Climbing Trip Gear List
Gear Review- Petzl 2017 Sirocco Climbing Helmet
The arrival of the updated ground breaking Petzl Sirocco this summer may be my most anticipated piece of gear news this year! I enjoyed hundreds of days climbing rock and ice along with a decent amount of ski mountaineering in my original Sirocco that I reviewed back in 2013 here. Needless to say I was … Continue reading Gear Review- Petzl 2017 Sirocco Climbing Helmet