Steamboat Springs, CO – At Steamboat Springs, everybody was talking about the snow. They hadn’t had any for months. The resort normally gets 300 inches per year, but just before our arrival in mid-February they had about as much snow as the resorts of Vermont. In fact, Maryland had gotten far more snow – albeit … Continue reading Skiing Three of Colorado’s Heavy Hitters
Two Harbors, MN – Shedding even an ounce here and an ounce there adds up to a remarkable difference in pack weight. While some overnight backcountry travelers will even cut handles off of toothbrushes to save weight, there are easier ways, such as the new Überlight CTF3 Drysacks from Granite Gear. Barely tipping the scales … Continue reading New Ultra-Light Drysacks from Granite Gear Keep Pack Weight Down
Taos, NM – A while back, my wife and I came to terms with the fact that we have conflicting expectations for ski vacations. Her ideal trip follows a more European model. It should be a sacred, relaxing time when you’re able to do everything that’s normally impossible at home – sleep until mid-morning, leisurely … Continue reading Skiing New Mexico’s Enchanted Circle
Salt Lake City, UT – We’ve tested a number of solar-powered recharging solutions over the past year or two, and the Powermonkey-eXplorer from the British company Powertraveller is quickly becoming one of our favorites. Whether on a multi-day ski tour or a summer spent traversing the Appalachian Trail, there’s a need to repower portable devices … Continue reading Powermonkey-eXplorer Delivers Portable Power When and Where You Need It
Salt Lake City, UT – If you’re one of those folks who routinely suffer from altitude sickness, a tiny, convenient fingertip pulse oximeter from Brooks-Range Mountaineering may be just the ticket. The $90 fingertip pulse oximeter from Brooks-Range Mountaineering can help avoid altitude sickness or high altitude edema. (photo: Brooks-Range Mountaineering) This $90 device, which … Continue reading Avoid Altitude Sickness with Fingertip Pulse Oximeter from Brooks-Range
Boulder, CO – Sierra Designs has barely tipped the scales with its new Vapor 15, which at a skimpy trail weight of 1 lb. 11 oz. qualifies as the lightest 15ºF-rated sleeping bag on the market. Filled with high-quality 850-fill goose down, the Vapor 15 has slimmed down by using only a 25-inch offset partial … Continue reading New Sleeping Bag from Sierra Designs Is the Industry’s Lightest 15ºF Model
Fremont, CA – Sure, we know it’s summer, so why would we be reviewing a down pullover? The bottom line is that despite its functionality as an ultra-toasty midlayer in winter, the Alpini Mountain Anorak from Brooks-Range Mountaineering ($249) is a highly compressible, lightweight warmer for chilly evenings while backpacking in summer at higher elevations. … Continue reading Brooks-Range Anorak Uses Highest Quality Goose Down