Author: Monte Johnston

Editor in Chief at Black Sheep Adventure Sports. Monte uses the combination of his guiding experience and civil engineering background to critically analyze equipment and apparel providing in-depth reviews on exhaustively tested gear.
Skiers Stocking Gift Guide
Christmas Specials, Features

Christmas Stocking Stuffer Guide for Backcountry Touring 2018

Black Sheep Adventure Sports’ first annual guide to stocking stuffers for ski touring & splitboarding fanatics. We’ve compiled a list of 5 great stocking stuffer ideas for anyone that loves touring around in the hills come winter. Gifts that they likely won’t expect, but that will definitely put a smile on their face. Of course we’ve tried to keep prices low and the size down … Continue reading Christmas Stocking Stuffer Guide for Backcountry Touring 2018

Monte Johnston
Arc';teryx Jacket
Apparel, Articles, Editorials, Tips & Tricks

Picking the Perfect Arc’teryx Puffy:

A head-to-head comparison review of synthetic Arc’teryx Puffy Jackets. Specifically the Quantum Series which includes the Proton, Atom & Nuclei. Walking around an outdoor gear store, or perusing one online for that matter, can be both fun and intimidating. There’s an absolute mountain of choice (yes, the pun was intended) when it comes to good quality kit! Now, a wide selection can be a great … Continue reading Picking the Perfect Arc’teryx Puffy:

Monte Johnston
Apparel, Reviews, Ski & Snowboard

Long-Term Review: Patagonia Descensionist Pants

I can be picky when it comes to ski touring pants. I’ll spend countless hours trying on different pairs in different stores before ever getting close to that one pair with that seemingly elusive mixture of features I want: a good fit, a few functional pockets, vents and a fabric that breaths. I know, I’m asking for a lot! But it’s not always easy to … Continue reading Long-Term Review: Patagonia Descensionist Pants

Monte Johnston
Alpine & Mountaineering, Reviews

First Look Review: Scarpa Zodiac Tech GTX

The new Zodiac Tech from Scarpa fits squarely into to uber popular scrambling / lightweight mountaineering boot category. Incredibly versatile, this boot’s a fantastic option for summers in the mountains. The soles are flexible enough to walk well but still stiff enough to take semi-auto crampons, kick steps up steep snow slopes and rock climb. They’re even warm and dry enough for shorter bouts on … Continue reading First Look Review: Scarpa Zodiac Tech GTX

Monte Johnston
Piton
Articles, Tips & Tricks

Picking the Ideal Piton Rack:

Despite having fallen out of vogue for many climbers, pitons are an important part of an alpine climbing rack in many areas. Yes, many pitons have been replaced with their more reliable relative, bolts. Or simply removed for that matter. But there’s still tons of them around depending on the area. And of course the prevalence of pitons in a given area depends on an assortment … Continue reading Picking the Ideal Piton Rack:

Monte Johnston
Thermarest Corus
Alpine & Mountaineering, Articles, Reviews

Review: Therm-A-Rest Parsec & Corus Sleeping System

Therm-a-Rest recently released a series of new sleeping bags and backcountry quilts designed to be compatible with one another. With the ability to be mixed and matched you can create a expandable sleeping system suitable for almost any trip or season. Much like a sleeping bag – over bag combination but more finessed. In this review we’re focusing on one such combination: the Parsec sleeping … Continue reading Review: Therm-A-Rest Parsec & Corus Sleeping System

Monte Johnston
Beal Escaper
Alpine & Mountaineering, Articles, Reviews, Rock & Ice

Review: Beal Escaper

The new Beal Escaper is unique, innovative a little terrifying until you get used to it. Designed to be a rappel release device it allows you to rappel on a single strand but still retrieve the rope from the bottom. Needless to say, I had a lot of questions when I first saw the device: How does the Escaper perform with different anchor set-ups and … Continue reading Review: Beal Escaper

Monte Johnston
Hornby Organic Bars
Articles, Editorials, Food & Nutrition

Hornby? The best bars you’ve never heard of!

I’m branching out a little from my typical type of review as I wanted to highlight Hornby Organic’s energy bars. Not because they pay me or anything like that (I’m not compensated in any way for the website except if someone wants a guide). I just think they make fantastic bars and it seems that very few climbers and skiers have heard of them. Quite … Continue reading Hornby? The best bars you’ve never heard of!

Monte Johnston
Sub 9mm Climbing ropes
Alpine & Mountaineering, Reviews, Rock & Ice

Comparison Review: Sub 9mm Climbing Ropes

Sub 9mm Climbing Rope Comparison It wasn’t very long ago that people looked to 10mm beasts of a rope for an everyday workhorse and ropes under 9mm in diameter were few and far between. Well that’s no longer the case with 5 different options currently on the market and undoubtedly more to come. Companies like Sterling, Petzl and others already have 9.0mm ropes available and … Continue reading Comparison Review: Sub 9mm Climbing Ropes

Monte Johnston
Big Agnes Fire Tower Jacket
Apparel, Reviews, Rock & Ice, Ski & Snowboard

Review: Big Agnes Fire Tower Jacket

When I put on the ridiculously warm Fire Tower jacket from Big Agnes it feels like I’m wearing my sleeping bag! Soft and cozy it makes frigid belay stances or mornings on a mid-winter camping trip not only bearable but almost comfortable. A surprising feat given the exceptionally reasonable cost. So if you’re willing to trade a little room in the backpack for the warmest … Continue reading Review: Big Agnes Fire Tower Jacket

Monte Johnston