Gear Reviews

Cyber Monday Guided Adventure & Education Sale

David Lottmann adventure travel, Avalanche Courses, Backcountry Skiing, Climbing Education, Deals on gear!, Gear Reviews, hiking, Holiday Gift Guides, Ice Climbing, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Self-Rescue, Tech Tips, Trip Reports, Wilderness Navigation, Wilderness Survival, winter hiking

Today only, Monday, November 27th, 2023, you can book an adventure or course with Northeast Mountaineering and save some serious moo-lah! Basically if you book one of these adventures today you get to bring a friend for free! I’m going to share exactly what programs are eligible and what the out of pocket cost per person would be if you decide to split this adventure with your adventure buddy, starting with the absolute best deal of them all!

AIARE 1 Avalanche Course $550 ($275pp)

Avalanche Courses Mount Washington
Photo courtesy of Alexander Robert

This is by far the most affordable way this season to get this essential course for anyone looking to spend time in avalanche terrain touring, ice climbing, or mountaineering. It’s a three day course that covers a semester worth of information in a mix of class room and field sessions. This education hasn’t been this affordable since I took my first avalanche course two decades ago. Grab your touring partner and sign up for this today while we still have many dates available! Sign up here and use promo code “DAVIDNEM” to be able to bring your friend for free! Discount lodging at the NEM Bunkhouse is also available!

AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course $195 ($97.50pp)

Avalanche Courses Mount Washington
Buried to my waist in an avalanche I remotely triggered… this rescue went smoothly

This 8 hour course is for anyone who might venture into avalanche terrain. It is designed for anyone who has yet to take a formal avalanche course like the AIARE 1 mentioned above, anyone looking to take their AIARE 2 course listed below, or anyone who hasn’t refreshed their avalanche rescue skills in awhile. A little bit of classroom followed by a lot of in the field realistic avalanche rescue practice. Time and money well spent! We only have two dates open this season so don’t delay grabbing a spot for you and your partner here and use promo code “DAVIDNEM”. Discount lodging at the NEM Bunkhouse is also available!

Ice Climbing $325 ($162.50pp)

Ice Climbing White Mountains
Author on Drool of the Beast (Grade 5), photo courtesy of Brent Doscher

Been curious about expanding your climbing season to the frozen months? Use this Cyber Monday deal to make it attainable! Book here and use promo code “DAVIDNEM”.

Introduction to Backcountry Skiing $325 ($162.50pp)

Backcountry Skiing Mount Washington
Photo courtesy of Erik Howes

Are you an expert skier at the resorts and looking to take adventure to the next level? Our backcountry ski skills course is jammed packed with necessary skills to get your shredding the pow out of bounds and away from the lines. Skiing the backcountry is about freedom and adventure. Out here, you earn your turns – but as you will discover the uphill travel is just as rewarding as the downhill descent.

Book here and use promo code “DAVIDNEM”.

Participants need to be competent skiing intermediate [blue] terrain at their local ski hill. The outdoor portion of this course may be held at Pinkham Notch or in Crawford Notch if condition allow it may also be held at one of the local ski hills with an uphill policy.

Backcountry Ski Touring $325 ($162.50pp)

Backcountry Skiing Mount Washington
Photo courtesy of Corey Fitzgerald

Already have your basic backcountry ski skills dialed and looking to expand your skill set? This course is designed to get you into more involved terrain like the more advanced Granite Backcountry Alliance glades and areas like Gulf of Slides, Tuckerman Ravine, Burt Ravine, etc.

Book here and use promo code “DAVIDNEM”.

Ski Mountaineering $325 ($162.50pp)

This course is for the proficient backcountry tourer who wants to work on some more technical skills like snow anchors, roped/glacier movement, rappelling, and more to access the most difficult of ski terrain.

Book here and use promo code “DAVIDNEM”.

One Day Mountaineering Skills Course $295 ($147.50pp)

If you’ve never worn mountaineering boots or practiced “self-arrest” with an ice axe this is the course for you. Learn the foundation of skills that will help you travel in the mountains during winter more safely and comfortably. This is an excellent course for those pursuing the winter 4000 footers!

Book here and use promo code “DAVIDNEM”.

Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue $325 ($162.50pp)

Crevasse Rescue Course
Photo courtesy of Northeast Mountaineering

Have some bigger mountains on your bucket list? You don’t need to travel out west to hone the skills needed to do so safely and efficiently. This course covers the rope skills used to manage risk on glaciers and includes learning about improvised hauling systems, mechanical rope ascension, and crevasse recognition and avoidance.

Book here and use promo code “DAVIDNEM”.

Guided Mount Washington Climb $325 ($162.50pp)

Guided Winter Mount Washington

Ready to attempt the biggest peak in the northeast in winter? This summit attempt is more than just a climb of the peak. Along the way your guide will teach you about proper preparation, common cold weather injuries and prevention, avalanche awareness, navigation, and more. No prior winter hiking experience is necessary but good fitness is key. The one day Winter Mountaineering Skills course above is often booked before this course if you want to feel best prepared for the day!

Book here and use promo code “DAVIDNEM”.

The Fine Print

There isn’t much! Just book at the direct links I provided today before midnight PST (3am Tuesday EST). Make sure you put “DAVIDNEM” in the promo code to receive the special deal. Booking through the website does not guarantee I will be your guide for the chosen adventure, though if I am available on that date I will be your assigned guide. You can reach out to me at the contact info below with your requested dates and I will get back to you by this evening. My winter season is pretty well booked so far but I do have some mid-week availability still.

This is the single biggest sale I have seen a guide service offer in recent years, so if you’ve been looking for a bargain on quality experiences and education, this… is… it!

CONTACT INFO: You can use the contact form at the bottom of this page to send me a message, or email me at nealpinestart@gmail.com, or message me through my Instagram

See you on the mountain,

Northeast Alpine Start

My Glove Game

David Lottmann Backcountry Skiing, backpacking, Climbing Gear Reviews, Clothing Reviews, Deals on gear!, Gear Reviews, Glove Reviews, hiking, hiking, Misc Reviews, Ski Gear Reviews, Wilderness Survival, winter hiking , , , , , , ,
outdoor gloves review

Every fall I do an inventory of my hand wear to be sure I’m ready for the upcoming backcountry touring, winter mountaineering, and waterfall ice climbing season. This year I figured I’d share my current collection and explain a bit about why I need 24 pairs of gloves/mittens. That’s right… 24 pairs!

Bike Gloves– I have two pairs, a fingerless pair for warm weather and a pair of full bike gloves for cooler riding.

Glove Liners– I wear glove liners on almost outdoor adventure. I make sure I have two pairs of serviceable glove liners year round. With all the sharp points related to ice climbing and mountaineering (and sharp ski edges) I expect to trash at least one pair of liners each year, so it’s good they are affordable! I was in need of a replacement pair this season so last week I picked up a pair of the Rab Merino 160 Glove Liners. This pair joins my Black Diamond Lightweight GridTech Liner Gloves and a pair of Ortovox 185 Rock’N’Wool Glove Liners to complete my glove liner inventory.

Technical Waterfall Ice Climbing Gloves– I prefer very dextrous perfectly fitting grippy gloves when leading waterfall ice. Handling ropes, placing ice screws, adjusting crampons… these tasks are more easily accomplished in specialized thin gloves. Currently I am rotating between the Outdoor Research Alibi 2 Gloves, the Black Diamond Torque Gloves, the RAB Infinium Axis Gloves, and the Ortovox Tour Light Gloves. To the surprise of many of my clients I actually wear one of the liners listed above under these snug fitting gloves. It improves the comfort especially with models like the Black Diamond Torque Gloves which can feel a little clammy without a liner.

Uphill Touring Gloves– For high output cold weather uphill skinning or hiking I prefer super breathable soft shell type gloves. My current favorite pair are the Camp USA G Comp Warm Gloves. What makes these so great is they have a built in insulated overmitt that is stored in a small pocket above the wrist. So they are super breathable and comfy on the up track and if you transition a little faster then the rest of your group you can hang out with the overmitts on to keep the tips of your fingers from going numb. I’m excited Ortovox has followed this design and I picked up a pair of Ortovox Tour Pro Cover Gloves for this season which join the couple pairs of Ortovox Tour Gloves I already have.

Downhill Touring Gloves– When it’s really cold and snowy out and you’re done burning calories on the ascent it’s time for the warm gloves to come out of the pack. I switch into these gloves for most descents, teaching avalanche courses about snowpack observations, practicing avalanche rescue skills, and occasionally snow blowing the driveway. I have two pairs of the surprisingly affordable Flylow Tough Guy Gloves. My fanciest pair of gloves are my Ortovox Merino Freeride Gloves. I also love the style and quality of the Wyoming based 4-Season Give’R Gloves. New to my inventory for this season is also a pair of the Ortovox Full Leather Gloves which fit and feel amazing!

Real Cold Ice Climbing & Mountaineering Gloves– For technical ice climbing and mountaineering on the coldest days I have two pairs of the Black Diamond Guide Gloves. As an emergency item and something I pack in my Search & Rescue pack I have some old thick fleece mittens and and old Goretex over mitts. I will likely update these with something like the Black Diamond Mercury Mitts soon. A stylish pair of toasty Give’R Leather Mittens rounds out my hand wear assortment.

Well that’s it for my current glove assortment. Do you have any of these? Any favorites of yours I should check out? Let me know in the comments!

See you in the mountains,

Northeast Alpine Start

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Quick Look: Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody

David Lottmann adventure travel, Clothing Reviews, Deals on gear!, Gear Reviews, hiking , , , , ,
Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody Review

“Isolated showers are expected to spread in around midday while temperatures for most elevations will remain above freezing, breezy” – from yesterday’s Mount Washington Observatory Higher Summits. Perfect for a follow up look of the updated Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody I recently received. I gave this piece a very detailed positive review back in 2016 and I’m happy to say that the original jacket is still in great condition despite 7 years of regular use!

Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody Review
Light rain and wind from neighboring Mount Washington arrives early afternoon and the Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody comes out…

Black Diamond upgraded the original material to a newer Schoeller Eco-Repel Bio® PFC-free DWR Technology which seemed to shed light rain longer then my original hoody. There’s more stretch in this material which not only allows more freedom of movement but when combined with the new drop hem around the bottom the jacket stays tucked under my harness while making long reaches.

Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody Review
DWR doing what DWR does…

This is one of the best ultralight active shell jackets there is! Weighing around 7 ounces there’s rarely a mission I don’t find it wise to toss this in the pack. While it is a highly water resistent windbreaker I find it even more flexible with my layering system. For example, in summer this has doubled as a sun hoody on hot day as mentioned in my 2016 review. It’s more than enough breathable for higher output activities like mountain biking. For multi-pitch traditional rock climbing this clips to the back of my harness for those mid-climb unexpected changes in weather. As it gets colder it fits well over my Merino wool hoodies. In very cold weather while backcountry touring it is a perfect wind shell piece that fits well under any of my light puffy jackets. For such a quality versatile piece I can’t think of who wouldn’t find a spot for this in their active outdoor clothing system!

Buy from Backcountry (men’s and women’s available)

See you in the mountains,

Northeast Alpine Start

Affiliate links above support this blog

Gear Review: Salewa Ortles Guide 35 Backpack

David Lottmann adventure travel, Backcountry Skiing, Backpack Reviews, Deals on gear!, Gear Reviews, hiking, hiking, Ice Climbing, Misc Reviews, Mountaineering, winter hiking , , ,

I’ve now had a couple months to test the new Salewa Ortles Guide 35 Backpack and I’m ready to publish my review!

TLDR Version: The Salewa Ortles Guide 35 Backpack is a rugged lightweight technical backpack that is an excellent pick for general mountaineering, waterfall ice climbing, and ski mountaineering.

How I Tested:

I’ve taken this pack on a half dozen trips so far. Two general winter mountaineering trips up Mount Washington, a few waterfall ice climbing trips, and on one ski mountaineering objective.

What I Really Liked:

Hard to pick my favorite feature as there are a few of them. Let’s start with the roll top closure and removable “brain”. Around the rim of the roll top Salewa added a stiffener that reminds me of those wrist snap bracelets from yonder years. This stiffener creates a great seal that makes rolling the top of the pack down easy and makes a great seal to keep snow out of the pack in inclement weather. A magnetic “over the roll” strap helps secure climbing ropes and slim the profile of the pack if I’ve decided to remove the “brain” for a more streamlined climbing pack.

Both of the two external zippers on the pack are the high end waterproof zippers I prefer, the Salewa does not claim the pack to be waterproof I found it to be one of the more “snowing hard out”-proof bags I’ve tested. The horizontal zipper near the top accesses a pocket that was big enough to carry my avalanche shovel and probe on a recent ski mountaineering mission. The diagonal side zipper gives the user another access point to reach their water bottle without having to go through the roll-top access point.

The backpack features reinforced side carry loops for A-framing your skis. The upper compression straps have a nice “separator” straps for securing any type of ice axe from mixed climbing tools to general mountaineering axes.

The “Dry-Back” back panel and molded shoulder straps felt awesome for both carrying heavier loads while ski mountaineering or while climbing vertical frozen waterfalls.

I found the 35 liters to be generous and was easily able to pack my for guide kit for a technical day of ski mountaineering (post coming soon to show that gear list).

Salewa is definitely a safety orientated company at the sternum strap whistle is the best quality I have seen for a sternum strap whistle. Beneath the removable lip is also information relating to the “Alpine Emergency Signal” which includes a diagram showing how to put an injured person into the “recovery position” and the numbers for contact emergency services in Europe and US & Canada, along with SOS morse code instructions.

Finally, I love the color. I’m a huge fan of bright colors in backpacks from both a Search & Rescue perspective and a general preference.

What Could Be Improved:

There is not too much here I would change but a few things did come to mind while testing the pack. Probably the biggest is the reinforced lower compression straps do not have releasable buckles. So if carrying a rope coiled in a single strand butterfly coil (quite common these days) you’ll need to “tuck” the rope into the ski carry loops if you want the rope fastened securely. A minor issue for sure but I do like packs where all four side compression straps can be opened.

While this pack was designed and marketed toward “ski mountaineering” vs. backcountry touring the avalanche tool pocket could use one small drain hole towards the bottom. It was also a bit tight for my super light carbon avalanche probe and shovel (what I carry on more technical tours vs. general backcountry skiing. My larger shovel and probe may not have fit in this pocket.

Summary/Who Is This For?

In summary this is a very well designed backpack made by a great company. I had way more great things to say about the pack then the couple of small nitpicks I mentioned. Who should consider purchasing this backpack? This backpack is best designed for an ice climber who occasionally goes touring or a winter above tree-line type hiker. I did not rig snowshoes to the outside of the pack but it shouldn’t be hard with a couple straps to easily fasten them to the outside. So if you are into ice climbing, winter hiking, and maybe do a little backcountry touring on the side, maybe this could be the backpack for you! You can find it in the US at these retailers:

Buy from Moosejaw

See you in the mountains,

Northeast Alpine Start

A media sample was provided for purpose of review. Affiliate links above help support this blog. Thank you!

Annual Holiday Gift Guide 2022

David Lottmann Climbing Gear Reviews, Deals on gear!, Gear Reviews, Holiday Gift Guides, Wilderness Medicine, Wilderness Survival , , ,

Around this time every year I share my own personally curated gifts for the outdoorsy people on your shopping list. These are items and brands that I personally endorse and they should all be a welcome gift for anyone who spends time in the mountains on your holiday shopping list! This year I’m only listing a half dozen ideas. I hope they help you find something for someone on your list!

Darn Tough Socks

I’ve been a Darn Tough sock fan for over a decade! Made in Vermont these are some of the best outdoor socks you’ll have in your drawer! With fun holiday patterns, quality craftmanship, and a Lifetime Guarantee you can’t go wrong with Darn Tough! This winter I got one pair for each of us! Check out the Holiday Collection HERE!

Friendly Foot Powder

Friendly Foot Shoe Deodorizer

Returning to my list every year is Friendly Foot Powder. Feet that spend a lot of time in rock climbing shoes, hiking and mountaineering boots, and ski boots, need some help keeping things from becoming odoriferous. This is an excellent stocking stuffer to keep your Darn Tough socks smelling good mile after mile!

Roll Recovery R8+ Deep Tissue Massage Roller

Post epic hike, climb, or ski self-care is important for recovery so you can get back out on the next adventure as soon as possible. After a knee injury last season my uninjured leg ended up having really tight quads, hamstrings, and calves as it over compensated for the injured leg. The R8+ Deep Tissue Massage Roller made it easy to stimulate blood flow and loosen tight muscles which I fully believe sped up my recovery. I now use this a couple days a week and think anyone who puts down a lot of miles in the mountains would love to find this under the tree!

MyMedic First Aid Kits

MyMedic First Aid Kits

A first aid kit is part of any outdoor persons gear list and our family has been using MyMedic kits every adventure and trip we go on. We have one in each of our cars, one I carry in my backpack while climbing, skiing, and hiking, and a large one we have at home. There are many models to choose from and some are currently up to 50% off with the Black Friday Sale!

Northeast Mountaineering Gift Certificates

There is something pretty unique about gifting someone an adventure and there’s no easier way than a gift certificate to Northeast Mountaineering! Available in multiple denomonations these can be used on any of the adventures Northeast Mountaineering offers from guided hikes, rock climbing and ice climbing instruction, waterfall rappelling, guided backcountry ski trips, and even avalanche courses!

Garmin InReach Mini

A gift that allows your adventurous friends and family stay in touch even when outside of cell phone reception. As an educator I will always promote preparedness and turning around in poor weather but there is no question Personal Locator Beacons like the Garmin inReach Mini 2 save lives!

Buy from Moosejaw

Buy from REI

The winter guiding season is here and it’s about to get super busy around my house! I may add a few more items here as I find the time. Have a gift idea for those who play in the mountains? Leave it in the comments and have a great, safe, Holiday Season!

See you in the mountains,

Northeast Alpine Start

Affiliate links above support this blog. Thank you!

Gear Review: Salewa Wildfire 2 Approach Shoes

David Lottmann Footwear Reviews, Gear Reviews, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing , , , ,
Salewa Wildfire 2 Approach Shoes Review

Salewa has released the Salewa Wildfire 2 Approach Shoes. I reviewed the original Salewa Wildfire Edge back in 2019 and liked them so much I reached out right away for a media sample when I saw this newer version was out. Now that I’ve had a few weeks to try them I’m ready to share my thoughts. Let’s start with who these are best suited for.

Like its predecessor the Salewa Wildfire 2 is a high end supportive approach shoe. It has the lateral torsional rigidity to keep your feet comfortable over many miles of rough uneven terrain yet enough medial flex to feel sensitive enough on technical scrambles. These qualities make these a great choice for a technical approach shoe for climbers, and durable choice for White Mountain hikers and 4k chasers, as well as long distant trail hikers. All of these groups, and possibly the latter the most, will appreciate the breathability of the recycled mesh upper.

Sizing/Fit/Comfort

Interestingly I had to go up a full size in these compared to when I reviewed the Wildfire Edge back in 2019 (US Men’s Size 8). To get a proper fit in these I needed to go into a US Men’s Size 9 (EU 42). Once I did that though they fit amazing, and like before I felt no need to adjust the adjustable footbeds that come with these shoes. The midsole and insole provide plenty of cushion and having feet that “run hot” I was a huge fan of the breathable mesh uppers.

Traction/Performance

Salewa Wildfire 2 Approach Shoes Review

I’ve developed quite a bit of faith in the POMOCO sole over the last few years. While I had some concerns with the soles in my 2019 review either the formula has changed a bit or my technique has improved (maybe both)? These soles are some of the grippiest soles I have ever tested. It is hard to quantitively compare the true friction performance of the different sole compounds I can state that these feel almost as grippy as Stealth C4, but definitely more durable and long lasting. Laced snugly I felt plenty secure in 4th and easy fifth class terrain (up to 5.6). I also appreciated the soft internal gaiter which helped keep debris out while out on more than one bushwhacking adventure.

Summary

The Salewa Wildfire 2 Approach Shoes have a solid standing in my personal “Top Three Approach Shoes” category. If you are currently in the market for some approach shoes see if your local outdoor shop carries these. If they don’t you might try a pair from one of these online retailers, most who accept free returns/exchanges if you don’t get the size just right.

Salewa Wildfire 2 Approach Shoes Review

Purchase

Men’s and Women’s models available, along with a Goretex model for those who prefer waterproof models.

Buy from Backcountry.com

Buy from Moosejaw.com

See you in the mountains,

Northeast Alpine Start

Affiliate links above support this blog. A media sample was provided for purpose of review.

Gear and Service Review: iKamper Skycamp 2.0 Rooftop Tent and Rooftop Adventure Company

David Lottmann adventure travel, car camping, family camping, Gear Reviews, hiking, Misc Reviews, Travel Guide , , ,

Have you been curious about what it is like to camp in a rooftop tent? I have been interested in this style of camping for a few years now as I notice more and more rooftop tents on the highways and at our local campgrounds. The investment in a rooftop tent is not insignificant though so I have held off on committing to purchasing one. Through a bit of serendipity I met Summer Brown while traveling on Cape Cod this past July and when I asked her about the rooftop tent on her vehicle I learned she is the owner of a new company in southern New Hampshire that rents rooftop tents, Rooftop Adventure Company.

At the end of September I drove down to her location in Merrimack, NH and was fitted with the iKamper 2.0 Rooftop Tent and headed back north for a four day three night camping trip. In this post I’d like to share our experience in relation to the service provided by Rooftop Adventure Company and our thoughts on the iKamper Skycamper 2.0 Rooftop Tent.

Reservation Process

iKamper Skycamp 2.0 Rooftop Tent Review
.0

In order to reserve a tent you will first want to browse the available models. Rooftop Adventure Company currently has 5 different models:

Guana Equipment Kamuk, $75/day. This is a great choice for 1-2 people who also want to carry a kayak, bike, small roof box, etc as this tent only takes up about half of your roof rack!

Smittybilt Overlander, $75/day. A roomy 2 person option with an included LED light strip.

Thule Autana 3 + Annex, $85/day. Enough room for 4 people when using the attached annex!

iKamper Mini, $95/day. The perfect choice for 2 people who are constantly changing location as this one is a breeze to set up and breakdown to head to the next spot!

iKamper Skycamp 2.0, $105/day. The biggest tent in the fleet and the one we used! I’ll go into more details on this model below.

In addition to renting these rooftop tents Rooftop Adventure Company also rents an “Adventure Trailer”. If you have a towing package on your vehicle THIS is the way to go! The trailer is an additional $30/day and can be paired with either the Smittybilt Overlander, the Thule Autana 3, or the iKamper Mini. There are two great advantages to using the trailer. First, you have a ton of cargo space for transporting bikes, paddle sport equipment, camping gear, etc. Second you can set up the tent and camp and still drive your vehicle to town or the trailhead. This option really made me wish we had a vehicle with a towing package!

Once you have decided on the model and have some dates in mind you just fill out a short contact form and Summer is quick to get back to you to lock in the reservation. We did have some back and forth correspondence trying to determine which of my vehicles had a more suitable roof rack for the different models of tents available. Right now the only requirements listed for each model are:

“Vehicle raised side rails and Thule or Yakima crossbars (rental crossbars available upon request)”

Adding the weight of each model to the website might help customers narrow down their selection, though it isn’t too hard to look up the weight of any of these online. I would suggest to potential customers to check your vehicle’s user manual for the roof weight limit in addition to the weight limit of your factory or after-market roof rock.

Pickup/Installation Process

iKamper Skycamp 2.0 Rooftop Tent Review

Rooftop Adventure Company is located in Merrimack, NH, at Summer’s residence. To make installing this tent on the roof of your car Summer has an electric lift that does almost all the work. You simply back your vehicle up next to her garage and her lift does on the heavy lifting. After just a few minutes the tent is secured to your vehicle and it’s time for a quick clinic on how to set up and break down your tent. Once I felt comfortable with the operation (the iKamper Skycamp 2.0 is really super simple to set up and break down, literally both actions take less than 3 minutes) it was time to sign some paperwork. Typical liability waivers and what anyone would expect when renting equipment. A fully refundable deposit is made and you’re ready to head out on your trip!

Setting up the iKamper Skycamp 2.0

iKamper Skycamp 2.0 Rooftop Tent Review
iKamper Skycamp 2.0 Rooftop Tent Review

After arriving at our campsite, a great riverside site at Saco Family Camping, I got to work getting our campsite ready for the rest of the family (kids were still in school and wife was still at work). One consideration when roof top camping off of pavement is to try to park level. Once I had our vehicle on a flat spot with the front of the tent facing the campfire and river I opened it up was impressed with how fast the whole process went. I took the extra minute or two to extend the optional side awnings. With the tent fully deployed in less than 5 minutes I setup our new camp grill (not doing a full review on it right now but I will say we LOVED cooking on our new Royal Gourmet Griddle!) After that I had some free time so decided to go for a quick eBike ride on some adjoining trails!

Sleeping in the iKamper Skycamp 2.0

iKamper Skycamp 2.0 Rooftop Tent Review

One of the first things that impressed me when I climbed up into the tent was how stable and sturdy the floor felt. Summer has added carpet to the floor of this model and that combined with the king sized mattress made for an excellent sleeping surface. We did not pack or use any of our other sleeping pads. The four of us had plenty of room and we found it best to sleep with our feet towards the door and our heads towards the cool quilted world map that is basically the inside of the hardshell cover. Despite nighttime temperatures forecasted in the lower 40s we opted to keep the two screened windows open to help with moisture control. Since we were car camping with brought a couple big puffy blankets in addition to my prized Western Mountaineering TerraLite Sleeping Bag. I bought this sleeping bag for a Cascades climbing trip I went on a few years ago and I love how it opens up into a huge blanket that almost the whole family can get under!

In the morning I checked in with everyone to see how well they slept and in was unanimous. Best night of sleep in a tent any of us had ever had! We had no noticeable moisture buildup despite there being four people in the tent on a cold clear night.

Packing Up The Tent/Returning the Tent

iKamper Skycamp 2.0 Rooftop Tent Review

On the last day of our “stay-cation” style camping trip we emptied everything out of the tent and closed it up in less than 5 minutes. Since we were staying local we had a second car to use for our day adventures but I realized this tent was so quick and easy to set up and break down it wouldn’t have been much of a hassel to do so each day. The only downside would be removing and storing your blankets and pillows each day but that’s a very small drawback. The next day I drove back to Merrimack where Summer was ready to remove the tent, give it a quick look over to make sure there was no damage, and send me on my way.

Video

I captured a lot of this process with video and have shared it to my YouTube. If you’d like to see the details on setup and breakdown check it out here!

<video edits still in progress>

Summary

Renting a rooftop tent was an incredible experience for our family! The kids LOVED it. My wife has told me she might not sleep in a regular tent again (I think she’s being a bit dramatic). Rooftop Adventure Company is the first of its kind that I know of. Summer started the business in 2019 and I can’t wait to watch it grow! Her customer service is top-notch through out the process. She was available for any questions from the beginning to the end of our trip. She is located in an excellent spot to serve the greater New England area and points south. Owning a rooftop tent can be tricky for many of us. We don’t have a garage or place we would be able to store it when not using it. Given the quality of the tents and service she provides I feel her rental rates are very reasonable. We would definitely use this rental service again and if you’ve been thinking about trying a rooftop tent you don’t need to look much further than the Rooftop Adventure Company. I’ll finish this review with the journal entry my wife wrote the day I returned the tent.

iKamper Skycamp 2.0 Rooftop Tent Review

See you in the mountains,

Northeast Alpine Start

TECH TIP: Cleaning and Lubricating Cams

David Lottmann Climbing Education, Climbing Gear Reviews, Rock Climbing , , ,

Occasionally cams will need some maintenance to continue to operate smoothly. If you find the trigger and springs in your cams getting “sticky” use a mild soap like Nikwax Tech Wash followed by a lubricant like Metolius Cam Lube to restore them to like new operation!

climbing tech tip cleaning cams

See you in the mountains,

Northeast Alpine Start

Affiliate links above help support this blog.

Spivo Video Editing Service Review

David Lottmann adventure travel, Backcountry Skiing, Electronic Reviews, Gear Reviews, hiking, Misc Reviews, Mountaineering, Travel Guide , , ,

Usually I review outdoor gear and provide technical tips for climbing and backcountry skiing here but today I’m reviewing something a little different… a video editing service. I first heard of Spivo through a sponsored Instagram ad soon after returning from a 7 day backcountry ski trip to Iceland. The timing was great as I had a lot of video and still footage from the trip so I reached out to see if I could get a sample of there service to share with you. The response was positive and I was soon logging into the service to upload my videos and photos to see what they could do with.

Spivo Video Editing Service Review

It’s pretty simple actually. You start by requesting a video edit quote for yourself, someone else (great gift idea), or a business. Next question is what kind of video you would like with choices being; Travel or Adventure Video, Action Sport or Motorsport Video, Vlog Video, or Event, Honeymoon or Wedding Video. Then you select how long you want the finished edit to be with options ranging from less than a minute to a full half-hour, with “3 to 6 minutes” being labeled as “most popular”. Pricing will then be displayed with discounts and promotions available if you purchase more than one editing project. Here’s a couple examples of current pricing with a few different selections:

Cinematic Adventure Video Edit 1-3 minutes long in 1080p HD Quality: $219

Cinematic Adventure Video Edit 1-3 minutes long in 4K/360 Videos: $319

Cinematic Wedding Video Edit 6-9 minutes long in 1080p HD Quality: $349

Once you select your options and checkout you will receive an email with a link to upload your files. My sample order was for a 3-6 minute edit and allowed up to 20Gb of uploading. I was interested in going through the entire process only on my iPhone and it was quite simple to select the videos and photos I have in My Photos and start uploading them. I selected about 5Gb (everything I took in Iceland) and started uploading. At some point I must have disconnected from WiFi and it appeared everything wasn’t uploaded. I couldn’t easily see which videos or pics from my phone didn’t get uploaded so I reselected my geo-tagged Iceland photos and did a second upload assuming the editors would recognize any duplicate images/files.

Once everything was uploaded I wasn’t exactly sure if I needed to do anything else. A quick message to the company was responded to promptly directing me to log back into my video edit order page (easy) and answer just a few more questions before their editors would start working on the project. There were just a few questions about any direction I wanted to give, key moments, creative thoughts, and a chance to select a music theme from possible hundreds of unlicensed options. I really wanted to let the company do what it felt was appropriate creatively so I basically just answered “editor’s choice” to each of the customizable options. Once that was completed I received an email stating they would get to start on my edit and I would receive the video within 7 days!

Six days later I received the email that Felix had finished editing the video and it was ready to view and download! You can watch the video before downloading and share it via a link. This is helpful if you watch it and decide it needs any revisions (free revisions until you are happy with the video or full refund offered).

Downloading the video on my iPhone was pretty simple but it took me a minute to figure out where it was located. I found it “Files” on my iPhone, and could then click on “Save Video” to have it findable in the more convenient “Photos” app on the phone. I could then easily upload it to YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.

The original edit ended up being 4 minutes and 48 seconds long. I immediately liked the soundtrack that Felix selected as it fit the Icelandic landscape quite well. The cuts were smooth and polished and in great time with the music. My overall impression was it was a quality edit of the probably hour or more of videos and photos I had uploaded if but just a tad long. Here it is with out any revisions being requested if you’d like to see.

Being an Instagramer I reached back out to the company to see if 60 second edits were an option and was told a 60 second highlight edit can be requested for an additional $50. A few days later I received another email with my shortened highlight edit. I really liked the cadence and length of this edit for today’s busy digital consumer clocking in at 1:07. Here it is:

Summary

So the big question, is the service worth it? With prices ranging from low 200s to high 300s for most projects the answer is it depends. Ever since my first iPhone and discovering the iMovie app I’ve enjoyed learning to edit my own home family movies and adventure projects. I rate my editing skills as solidly mediocre. If you are not great at editing this service makes a lot of sense after a cool vacation or adventure somewhere. There’s also the time it takes to edit these projects… My own amateur edit of the same trip ended up being about two minutes in length but took me 5-6 hours of editing to get it down to something I wanted to share. You can see my edit of this trip here if you’d like to compare. A lot of people might not have the free time, or the motivation, to sort through all the video and images you captured on your latest adventure to create something memorable and entertaining. I think it’s also clear my edit is pretty amateur and the Spivo edits have a professional level of polish! I can definitely see why this service has a market and is probably doing quite well!

Wedding Videos!

I also think the idea of using this to create a wedding video is a very novel idea and likely a few thousand dollars cheaper than hiring a professional videographer for your wedding. Just think about it, if you have everyone who is at your wedding taking videos and pictures and they can all just upload to a central place like Spivo where they then edit and produce your wedding video in 7 days for less than $500? I’ll be suggesting this to my brother who is getting married this June in fact!

See you in the mountains.

Northeast Alpine Start

A media sample of this service was provided for purpose of review. Affiliate links above support the content created here at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

Gear Review: KÜHL’s AIRKÜHL™ Men’s Hoody

David Lottmann adventure travel, Clothing Reviews, Gear Reviews, Wilderness Survival , , , ,
KÜHL’s AIRKÜHL™ Men's Hoody Review

I think most people who follow me know I have a thing for “sun-hoodies”. They are literally my favorite type of active outdoor clothing and I’ve had the opportunity to review quite a few different brands. When I saw the KÜHL’s AIRKÜHL™ Men’s Hoody I immediately placed an order. For those who are not aware of what a “sun-hoody” is it’s basically the best thing to happen to outdoor clothing since the use of synthetics! It is by far the BEST protection from both sun/UV and the incoming mosquito/black fly season! Every outdoors-person should own at least one (I won’t disclose how many I currently have in my gear closet).

Let’s start with…

Manufacturer Description:

Incredibly soft with superior moisture management and breathability, KÜHL’s AIRKÜHL™ Men’s Hoody displays excellent abrasion and snag resistance for increased durability. Maximum sun protection (UPF 50+) paired with odor resistant properties keep you fresh and confident throughout the day.

KÜHL’s AIRKÜHL™ Men's Hoody Review
I also have one in this “Sea Breeze” color! Photo from Kuhl.com

ADVANCED FABRICS

  • Fabric: 85% Ultra-soft premium Polyester 15% Spandex | 147 GSM

CARE INSTRUCTIONS

  • Machine wash cold
  • Do not bleach
  • Tumble dry low

DIFFERENT BY DESIGN

  • Saddle-stitched seams for less bulk
  • Elastic binding at hood opening and sleeves
  • Five-panel hood constructed to lay flat without bulk when not in use
  • Featuring the original thumb loop

DIFFERENT BY CONSTRUCTION

  • High moisture-wicking
  • Open-air construction for advanced breathability
  • Odor-resistant infused fabric keeps you fresh longer so you can wash less and wear more
  • Abrasion-resistant/snag-resistant
  • UPF 50+ sun protection

Performance

KÜHL’s AIRKÜHL™ Men's Hoody Review

Sun-hoodie season is from the end of April to the late September so I spend a lot of days wearing one of these! I can tell from the weight of the fabric KÜHL has found a great balance in lightweight comfort and durability. I’ve worn mine for about 20 days so far this season without washing so I can attest to the “odor-resistant” technology. My wife would let me know right? The weave is somehow a bit tighter than other models which reduces snagging but is still super soft and breathable. Using the size chart I went for a size large and it fits great, just slightly snug in the forearms.

Summary

If you have already joined the sun-hoodie movement then you already know how great these are! KÜHL has joined a few other top-of-the-line companies in producing a seriously excellent sun-hoodie and this one is available and in-stock in 4 different colors (I’m really partial to the two lighter colors, Sea Breeze and Cloud Gray). A slightly different model is offered in womens, the KÜHL ENGINEERED™ HOODY. A great addition to any outdoor wardrobe made by an ethical company! A couple more KUHL reviews will be coming soon!

See you in the mountains,

Northeast Alpine Start

Disclaimer: The author purchased this item with his own money. Affiliate links help support this blog! Thank you.