I’ve written and edited many obituaries in my tenure as an editor at Backcountry and now as editorial director at Height of Land Publications. It’s part of the job, covering outdoor adventure sports. But the last year or so has marked an odd shift in the pieces we write in memoriam. Last August, two competing […]
THE LONG HAUL
Dear reader, It’s been a year. Between early resort closures last spring, increased numbers flocking out of bounds and a mounting strain on search and rescue teams, our backcountry community has felt the pressure and stress of an unpredictable time. But if there’s one thing that us backcountry skiers and riders know well, it’s uncertainty. […]
Fearlessly Female: Jan Reynolds on life up high and advice for aspiring women ski mountaineers
Jan Reynolds, 62, is familiar with being the lone woman on daring and remote expeditions. As the former record-holder for women’s high-altitude skiing, which she achieved on Tibet’s Muztagata (24,757 ft.) in 1980, Reynolds has made her mark on ski history.
How an East Coast slide proves that avalanches don’t care where you live
Avalanches in Vermont are considered as uncommon as getting the measles. But in March 2018, Vermont residents Aaron Rice, 28, who notably climbed and skied 2.5-million vertical feet in 2016, and friend Cyril Brunner, 27, found themselves dealing with one in Smugglers’ Notch, near Stowe Mountain Resort. The accident wasn’t just because of their line choice and a snowpack with buried facets beneath feet of new snow, but also due to common heuristic traps that can befall skiers anywhere.
How to get the most out of gear
There’s no denying it—backcountry gear is expensive. And while touring may offer freedom from purchasing lift tickets or a season’s pass, the cost of a new setup can quickly creep well above $2,000, which isn’t an annual line item in many a skier’s budget.
The Simplest Things: Part Two
Photographer Liam Doran spent his quarantine in Eagle’s Nest Wilderness, located in Colorado’s Gore Range. After coming out of the woods, he reflected on the highs and lows of backcountry living, and shares the second part of his tale along with some choice photos. If you haven’t read Part One, check it out here. —The […]
The Simplest Things: Part One
Photographer Liam Doran spent his quarantine in Eagle’s Nest Wilderness, located in Colorado’s Gore Range. After coming out of the woods, he reflected on the highs and lows of backcountry living, and shares the first part of his tale along with some choice photos. —The Editors My disappointingly ever-present phone squawks at me as I […]
The Best of Fest: The Winter Wildlands Alliance Celebrates 20 Years
This year, Winter Wildlands Alliance (WWA) celebrates their 20th anniversary. With Covid-19 barring large gatherings, WWA is releasing a “Best of Fest”—a collection featuring the top film from each of their 15 Backcountry Film Festivals—on September 1 in lieu of a party. The showing will be available on Eventive, an online film screening platform. On […]
Gearbox: In-Vesting in Off Season Training
It’s no secret that ski touring is physically demanding. More fitness equals more fun—both breaking trail uphill and cranking powder down. Because the best ski tours last for at least a few hours, your body needs to adjust to that duration of exercise—sub-one-hour workouts don’t induce the needed adaptation. Trail running provides one of the […]
Bridging the Gap: A Conversation with Ascent Mentorship founder Emily Wright
When Emily Wright moved to Revelstoke, B.C. from Whistler, she faced a problem that a lot of women have run into over the years: finding other women to ski with in the backcountry. To solve this problem, Wright decided to start Ascent Mentorship in hopes of connecting women looking to get into the backcountry. —Betsy […]
