The Black Diamond Vapor Helmet is the lightest and most breathable helmet in Black Diamond's line and is only an ounce heavier than the Petzl Sirocco that I reviewed here. A sheet of Kevlar and a series of carbon rods in between co-molded EPS foam provides the bulk of impact protection along with a thin but … Continue reading Gear Review- Black Diamond Vapor Climbing Helmet
Gear Reviews
Gear Review- Hyperlite Mountain Gear “The Shell” Jacket
Last year Hyperlite Mountain Gear (HMG) released their first entry into the high end ultra-light outerwear market with the intrepidly named brow-raising jacket, "The Shell". Already well known for their ultralight backpacks and shelters made from expensive but high performance fabrics this level of design in a piece of clothing was sure to turn heads … Continue reading Gear Review- Hyperlite Mountain Gear “The Shell” Jacket
Gear Review- Black Diamond Cirque 45 Backpack
The Black Diamond Cirque 45 Backpack is designed for back-country skiing and ski mountaineering. This streamlined model also comes in smaller 35 and 30 liter options. I started testing this pack while teaching avalanche courses last winter and after a couple more trips this season I'm ready to share my opinions on this model. Buy … Continue reading Gear Review- Black Diamond Cirque 45 Backpack
Gear Review- Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody
Last year I got to review the iconic Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody, undeniably one of the "best in class" pieces of outdoor clothing on the market. This year Patagonia has taken this iconic piece and optimized it with a new "PlumaFill" synthetic insulation that really gives natural down insulated pieces a run for the money. … Continue reading Gear Review- Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody
Gear Review: Cassin Eghen 22 Backpack
This past September I was excited to receive the new Cassin Eghen 22 backpack to review. This alpine style pack had won "Editor's Choice 2017" from Climbing Magazine who called it a "super tech summit pack". Indeed this relatively small pack has a long list of features designed with both practicality and convenience in mind. … Continue reading Gear Review: Cassin Eghen 22 Backpack
Gear Review- LaSportiva Boulder X Approach Shoes (and Giveaway!)
The LaSportiva Boulder X approach shoes are a rugged and supportive trail shoe best suited for rough trails and heavy loads. This past summer I received a pair to review and have since put about 80 miles on them and am ready to share my opinion on them. Buy on Amazon Buy on Backcountry Buy … Continue reading Gear Review- LaSportiva Boulder X Approach Shoes (and Giveaway!)
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- Mountain Tools Slipstream Pack
I've been hoping to test a Mountain Tools pack for a couple of years now and early this summer I finally got my hands on one of this California companies new models, the ultra-light sleek and streamlined Mountain Tools Slipstream Pack. After multiple cragging days on Cathedral and Whitehorse Ledges, some fast & light missions … Continue reading Gear Review- Mountain Tools Slipstream Pack
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