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Fuji X100 (Black Special Edition)
The Fuji X100 is a camera that has received more hype and publicity than just about any camera I am aware of. Its retro, rangefinder style and terrific image quality have made it a big hit among photo aficionados. Why carry the X100 if I already have an OMD? I own a couple of Olympus […]
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Cascades Part 2: Forbidden Peak, East Ridge
After our success on Mount Baker’s snow and ice (see part 1 below,) I wanted to try my hand at a rock route. Chris originally thought that the Torment-Forbidden traverse would be a good objective, but the weather window looked a bit questionable, so we ultimately decided on a shorter objective. We drove up […]
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Cascades, Part 1: Mount Baker North Ridge
I had been looking forward to a trip to the Cascades for several months. Plane tickets bought, plans made. I’d been training, dreaming, putting together gear lists, etc. However, as the time to go drew near, my friend I was going with told me that he wasn’t going to be able to go. His work […]
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Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ice Pack
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ice Pack is a lightweight alpine pack that I have been using lately for big days and light overnights in the mountains. The ice pack is about 40 liters (2,400 cubic inches) in capacity, and can hold everything I need for a day of ice climbing or winter alpine climbing day […]
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Olympus OMD EM-5 Camera System
The Olympus OMD EM-5 Camera (15.3 ounces) I’ve been using an Olympus PEN E-P2 camera for several years now. It’s a micro 4/3 system camera that accepts interchangeable lenses. The sensor is half the size of a full frame sensor, so the “crop factor” provides the field of view equivalent to that of a […]
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Outdoor photography gear update Part 1: Pocket Cameras
Outdoor photography gear update Part 1: Pocket Cameras This update addresses Pocket Cameras. A follow on update will address Micro 4/3 system cameras and lenses, including the new Olympus OMD E-M5 I almost never go into the outdoors without a camera. I love taking pictures of the places I visit and the things I do. […]
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Phone, GPS, and Emergency Beacon
Casio Commando Android Phone with Backcountry Navigator Software (5.4 ounces) Delorme inReach Satellite Communicator (8.6 ounces) For many years, I didn’t even own a cell phone or a GPS. I didn’t take a cell phone to work, much less into the backcountry. Given the uncertainty over cell coverage, it didn’t seem worth the extra weight. These […]
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Sleeping Pads
This blog entry focuses on various sleeping pads I’ve used over the years. Left hand column, top to bottom: Prolite Plus; Prolite3; Ortik; Karrimat Evazote; MEC Winter Evazote; MEC bivi thin evazote; Ridgerest Right hand column, top to bottom: NeoAir; Exped Synmat; NeoAir AllSeason; NeoAir XTherm; Klymit X-Frame; Klymit X-Lite Closed Cell Foam Sleeping Pads […]
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Teton Crest Ski Tour
April 9-12 I just returned from a four day trip skiing along the Teton Crest trail. We started the trip at Teton Pass at the base of Mount Glory, and 4 days later, came out Cascade Canyon. It was one of the best ski trips I’ve ever been on. Scenery was fantastic and we had […]
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Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Bags Down or synthetic fill? This question has probably occupied the minds of climbers at least as much as any other gear question. Like the debate regarding Ginger and Maryanne, there is no definitive answer. I have both synthetic and down filled sleeping bags. Here’s how I choose: If I’m only out for […]