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Vintage Gear
I love old gear. I collect old gear catalogs (some scans from my collection here.) Even though modern clothing and equipment is (usually) better than old school stuff, there is an undeniable satisfaction in using a piece of gear of clothing that has been around the block and proven itself over the years. There’s some […]
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Suunto Ambit 2 Saphire (HR)
For over a decade, I’ve used a Suunto Vector watch with built in compass and barometer/altimeter. I’ve been pretty happy with the Vector, but have always thought that having a wrist-top GPS would be useful. About 6 or 7 years ago, I bought a wrist-top GPS, but ended up getting rid of it because it […]
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Kanz Field Kitchen with Partner Steel Propane Stove
When I’m car camping, I don’t like to rough it. I like to live in luxury. If I’ve got a truck to carry my stuff, I’d just as soon have all the comforts of home to the extent possible. When I’m backpacking, I’m content with lightweight freeze dried meals, but when I’m living out of […]
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Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hooded Down Jacket
The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer line of clothing are pieces that are designed with the overall goal of providing protection with the least possible weight and bulk. I own the hooded down jacket and the hooded windbreaker. This review is of the hooded down jacket Ghost Whisperer Hooded Down Jacket 8.8 ounces (size […]
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Summer, 2014 Outdoor Retailer Highlights
The 2014 Summer Outdoor Retailer Show is in full swing here in Salt Lake City. It’s a huge event, taking up not only the full space in the Salt Palace, but three large temporary pavilions and a tent city as well. I’ve spent the last day and a half wandering around the show, looking at […]
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Assisted Braking Belay Rappel Devices Suitable for Trad and Alpine Climbing: Edelrid Mega Jul and Micro Jul, CT Alpine Up
I am becoming more and more convinced that belay/rappel devices with assisted braking are a big improvement over traditional ATC or Reverso type belay/rappel devices. Assisted braking devices are not fully auto-locking like a Gri Gri, but provide significant extra friction when catching a falling leader or rappelling, when compared with an ATC or Reverso. […]
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Ski Pulk sled
I’ve used sleds on occasion to carry large winter loads. However, the sleds I’ve used have always been home made jobs. I’ve bought kiddie sleds and modified them in various ways to make them serve as ski sleds. My modifications began relatively simply, just drilling holes in the front of the sled and attaching […]
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Ricoh GR Pocket Camera
I am a big proponent of using small, compact cameras when climbing. Although I sometimes take larger, interchangeable lens cameras with me on climbs, there are many circumstances where the bulk and weight of a big camera doesn’t make sense. If I’m climbing something difficult, I will often opt for a pocket camera. Even if […]
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Patagonia Knifeblade and Northwall Lines: Winter Clothing made from Polartech Powerstretch Pro Fabric
Polartech Powerstretch Pro is a new highly breathable and water resistant fabric from the folks at Malden Mills. Patagonia incorporated it into two different lines of clothing, the Knifeblade and Northwall lines, which are blurring the lines between softshells and hardshells. The Knifeblade line is uninsulated, and the Northwall line has a light gridded fleece […]
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Eddie Bauer Guide and Guide Lite Gloves
I have 30+ pairs of outdoor gloves and mittens. It seems like every year for the past 20 years, I’ve bought one or two new pairs of gloves, searching for the elusive perfect glove. However, for the past couple of years, I’ve been using two gloves almost exclusively for my climbing; the Guide Gloves and […]