Long-Term Review: Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoodie

If you’re looking for a super lightweight, breathable softshell for rock, alpine, skiing, running, etc. Black Diamond’s Alpine Start Hoodie is worth checking out. This simple and lightweight layer cuts the wind, sheds light precipitation and keeps the sun and bugs off all while breathing very well. It’s not waterproof though so any continuous rain or snow will quickly soak through. Features: Weight: 210g (mens … Continue reading Long-Term Review: Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoodie

Monte JohnstonMay 24, 2017October 10, 2017

Reviews, Rock & Ice

Edelrid Boa Eco (AKA Parrot) Climbing Rope Review

Every climber needs a robust, all-round go-to rope that they can abuse at the crag. Something to use when working a project, top-roping or teaching a friend how to climb. While all these sleek new triple rated, by-patterned, dry certified, sub 9mm ropes on the market are great, they’re also quite specialized and not really meant for everyday cragging. For that type of service the Edelrid … Continue reading Edelrid Boa Eco (AKA Parrot) Climbing Rope Review

Monte JohnstonMay 18, 2017October 10, 2017

Reviews, Travel & Lifestyle

Review: GSI FairShare Mug II

The GSI Outdoors Fairshare Mug has been a staple of back-country enthusiasts for over a decade. Basically a measuring cup with a screw on lid, it’s a favourite of alpinists, backpackers, climbers, skiers, etc. The reason: It works! It’s the perfect size to dupe an unsuspecting cook into giving you an extra scoop of grub, it’s easy to clean and it’s very multi-functional working as … Continue reading Review: GSI FairShare Mug II

Monte JohnstonMay 18, 2017October 10, 2017

Alpine & Mountaineering, Reviews, Rock & Ice

La Sportiva TX2 Approach Shoe Review

La Sportiva came out with a new line of technical approach shoes this past spring and the lightest of this new trio, the TX2, caught my eye and begged to be looked at in detail. This new shoe was designed to be lightweight and packable with a sticky sole. A great combination of features for a place like Squamish. When first testing them out I was blown … Continue reading La Sportiva TX2 Approach Shoe Review

Monte JohnstonMay 17, 2017October 10, 2017

Alpine & Mountaineering, Reviews, Rock & Ice

Mammut Wall Rider Helmet Review

Mammut’s innovative new helmet, the Wall Rider, features an Expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam body with a smallpolycarbonate cap on the top. This hybrid of exposed foam and hard-shell blends the features of two different helmet designs: the traditional lightweight in-mold helmet design and the super-light exposed foam design of the Sirocco (Petzl is upgrading the Sirocco with a similar composite design but I haven’t gotten my … Continue reading Mammut Wall Rider Helmet Review

Monte JohnstonMay 12, 2017October 10, 2017

Alpine & Mountaineering, Reviews, Travel & Lifestyle

Exped Synmat Hyperlite Review

Exped is known for making some of the best sleeping mats available anywhere. However, like many people I’ve only every tried their down fill mats, never a synthetic fill. To find out how their synthetic mats perform we decided to test out the SynMat Hyperlite. This tapered, 3-season mat is sold as the lightest mat for its warmth which I take to mean that it’s … Continue reading Exped Synmat Hyperlite Review

Monte JohnstonApril 7, 2017October 10, 2017

Other, Reviews, Travel & Lifestyle

Helinox Chair One

Like many back-country enthusiasts I do a lot of camping to facilitate my addictions to skiing, climbing and alpinism. This can involve easy car camping where I drive right up to the camping spot (Indian Creek, Red Rocks, Yosemite, etc.) to locations where I take a helicopter or plane into a camping area (Tantalus, St. Elias, Ruth, etc.) to where I actually need to hump … Continue reading Helinox Chair One

Monte JohnstonApril 4, 2017October 10, 2017

Reviews, Travel & Lifestyle

Quick Look: GSI Outdoors Essential Spoon

While camping spoons may not be as sexy as new ice tools or cams it’s still nice to have a well thought out and functional food delivery apparatus when you’re in the backcountry! So when I saw the new GSI Outdoors Essential Spoon (long version) at the Outdoor Retailer show last summer I was intrigued. Needless to say, when it hit store shelves I grabbed one to … Continue reading Quick Look: GSI Outdoors Essential Spoon

Monte JohnstonMarch 17, 2017October 10, 2017

Alpine & Mountaineering, Reviews, Ski & Snowboard, Travel & Lifestyle

Review: Adidas Tycane Pro Outdoor Sunglasses

The Tycane line of sunglasses by Adidas Eyewear have been specifically designed for climbing, skiing and mountaineering as well as for watersports. And while not necessarily a household name in eyewear, Adidas boasts a wide range of high quality, sport-specific and casual sunglasses with top notch optics. If you’re looking for a pair of glasses that will work for ski touring, climbing, glacier travel, mountaineering, … Continue reading Review: Adidas Tycane Pro Outdoor Sunglasses

Monte JohnstonMarch 6, 2017October 10, 2017

Apparel, Reviews

Review: RAB Electron Jacket

RAB’s new Electron jacket is an incredibly versatile technical layer that has found a place in my pack on a wide variety of trips from skiing to alpine climbing and mountaineering in every season from winter to summer. Designed for year-round use the mid-weight jacket utilizes water resistant Pertex® Endurance fabric and hydrophobic down to allow it to perform in all weather conditions while the bright blue … Continue reading Review: RAB Electron Jacket