Last year Petzl released the RAD (Rescue And Decent) system which is basically a lightweight rope kit. The idea is that skiers and mountaineers can take it with them into mountains to deal potential issues such as rappelling cliff bands, undertaking crevasse or cliff rescue and for roping up when crossing glaciers. While light-weight kits of this nature have been available to Guides for some time Petzl … Continue reading Petzl RAD Kit Review
Designed as a technical mid-layer, Black Diamond’s new Deployment Hybrid Hoody utilizes a mixture of different materials and fabrics in different locations in an effort to provide warmth where it’s needed and breath-ability where it’s not. The result is a nice fitting mid-layer with some great features though it still has it’s flaws. The light green panels are insulated Shoeller and the dark green a thinner … Continue reading Review: Black Diamond Deployment Hybrid Hoodie
Many of the most exciting and memorable trips, expeditions and vacations include a flight or two requiring heavy, gear laden bags to be hauled though airports. While most travelers have color coordinated suitcases that strap together into a tidy package that is easily rolled around airports, almost eliminating the requirement for any physical exertion, climbers are not most travelers. Climbers can instead be spotted at … Continue reading Review: Osprey Shuttle Wheeled Duffle
Patagonia’s Houdini Jacket is a simple, lightweight, weather resistant shell that almost disappears into its own pocket when it’s not being used. While advertised as a shell for runners on Patagonia’s website we tested it on some multi-pitch rock climbs where weight and bulk are the enemy. The Houdini worked very well as a wind resistant layer and kept me dry during a few short … Continue reading Review: Patagonia Houdini
If you’re like me you take a waterproof jacket on most summer alpine missions, just in case. In case there’s a rain shower or a snow flurry, strong winds or (hopefully not!) an unplanned bivi. So, if the jacket is going to spend the majority of the time in my pack I don’t want to take something bulky or heavy. So instead of the eVent … Continue reading Review: RAB Flashpoint Jacket
This ingenious innovation from Mammut is always met with excitement from anyone I show it to and skepticism from anyone I describe it to… “it’s kinda like a rock climbers fanny pack, but really cool!”. All kidding aside, the multi-pitch chalk bag is a very functional piece of equipment that helps reduce harness clutter and fills the gap for multi-pitch climbs that are too long … Continue reading Review: Mammut Multi-Pitch Chalk Bag
When Arc’teryx released the Lithic Comp pant (well actually they’re technically bibs) last fall I was a bit skeptical as I’m not a big fan of bibs; I find that they tend to be hot on the up-track. However the promise offered by the combination of hardshell and shoftshell fabrics drew me in. The idea behind the pants is simple, waterproof breathable fabric where you need … Continue reading Review: Arc’teryx Lithic Comp pant
Black Diamond, like many companies that make avalanche rescue equipment, has an avalanche shovel that can be set-up either as a hoe or shovel. However, the elegant design of the BD Evac 7 make the conversion between the two modes simple and intuitive on a shovel that is still light and extremely effective at moving a lot of snow quickly. Before looking at this particular … Continue reading Review: Black Diamond Evac 7 Shovel
Since arriving on the market a few years ago Adidas’ new Outdoor line has been making a big impact with impeccably cut, well-fitting jackets made from cutting edge materials. The Terrex Climaheat Agravic Down Hoodie is no exception, a very light-weight and warm down jacket that feels great to wear and has a flattering cut. I received the jacket last fall and have spent the … Continue reading Adidas Terrex Climaheat Agravic Down Hoodie
I’ve done a lot of pack reviews over the years though but traditionally focused on ice, rock or alpine oriented packs. This year I decided to take this expertise and apply it to a comparison review of some newer mid-size ski packs. I chose this size of pack as it’s so versatile: great for hut-based overnight trips, hut-to-hut ski tours, ski/snowboard mountaineering trips or even … Continue reading Comparison Review: Ski Packs
