Review: Arc’teryx Nuclei FL Hoody

Very lightweight, windproof and warm, the Nuclei FL makes an amazing 3-season puffy jacket for just about any activity. I’ve been testing mine for about a year now and it’s definitely found a place in my pack for those summer alpine missions and just about anywhere else I need a lightweight but warm jacket. A few years ago I wrote an article about the various … Continue reading Review: Arc’teryx Nuclei FL Hoody

Skiers Christmas Gift Guide 2020

BlackSheep Adventure Sports’ Skiers Christmas Gift Guide 2020 Instead of the usual format, with separate stocking stuffer and under-the-tree gifts guides, the Skiers Christmas Gift Guide 2020 will be an all-in-one special. The further down the list, the more expensive and significant the gift. So, if you’re in need of some ideas for the backcountry skier in your life, look no further! 1. First Aid … Continue reading Skiers Christmas Gift Guide 2020

First Look Review: G7 Hand Jam

There are crack climbing gloves and Crack Climbing Gloves, the new G7 Hand Jam are the latter. G7, a brand that’s known for innovation, rethought the entire idea of a crack glove. They ditched the rubber or other similar materials altogether and made them from leather. Real leather. Really nice leather actually. These things feel great to wear. But how do they perform and stack … Continue reading First Look Review: G7 Hand Jam

Vapor Lace

Review: Scarpa’s Updated Vapor Lace

Like the Vapor V received last year (2019), Scarpa gave the Vapor Lace a complete redesign for this summer (2020). And while the original was a solid crack climbing shoe the updated Vapor lace is an absolute granite weapon and has overtaken the TC Pro as my personal favorite granite crack shoe! Specifications & Features: Weight: 258g (one shoe, size 43) Rubber: 5mm Vibram XS … Continue reading Review: Scarpa’s Updated Vapor Lace

Review: Edelrid Swift Protect 8.9

In what’s one of the coolest innovations in the world of climbing ropes for some time, Edelrid’s new Swift Protect has aramid fibers woven into the sheath. What is aramid you ask? Well, it’s a very strong synthetic fiber that’s in the same family as Kevlar. From a functional point of view, aramid fibers have good tensile strength, are lightweight, tough and heat resistant. That … Continue reading Review: Edelrid Swift Protect 8.9

Comparison Review: High-Top Climbing Shoes

A head-to-head review of the most common high-top climbing shoes on the market. High-top climbing shoes have seen a huge resurgence in popularity over the past few years. This has of course prompted more brands to jump back into the high-top shoe game. Now, where there was once only a few high-top options around, every major shoe manufacturer seems to make a pair. To determine … Continue reading Comparison Review: High-Top Climbing Shoes

Review: Mammut 9.0 Alpine Sender Dry

Mammut 9.0 Alpine Sender Dry (or Crag Sender Dry) Mammut has given their dynamic climbing rope organization / naming structure a complete overhaul for 2020. Hidden in this naming change is a brand new rope called the 9.0 Alpine Sender Dry. Or is the 9.0 Crag Sender Dry? As per the new naming scheme, it’s the same rope under a different moniker, but more on … Continue reading Review: Mammut 9.0 Alpine Sender Dry

Review: Gregory Alpinisto 38 LT

An in-depth review of the new Gregory Alpinisto 38 LT This new addition to Gregory’s popular line of Alpinisto alpine climbing packs isn’t just a lighter version of the Alpinisto 35 so much as a redesign. With different fabrics, panels, features and pack volume the new Alpinisto 38 LT has a very different feel though there are still a lot of similarities between the two. … Continue reading Review: Gregory Alpinisto 38 LT

Getting Cabin Fever?    

A few ideas for a social beer with buddies to add to your Covid coping toolbox.           The COVID-19 pandemic seemed to go from an issue affecting other people in distant parts of the globe to knocking on the front door almost overnight. And, now that it’s here, social distancing and self-isolating have become a social imperative. In some areas even a … Continue reading Getting Cabin Fever?