Wool has been the outdoor world’s go-to material for centuries because of its natural ability to stay warm when wet. But this old-timey thread has come a long way since the days of itchy knickers and sweaters worn out of a sense of duty to grandma.
How outliers in British Columbia’s Slocan Valley have carved livelihoods and turns in the remote Selkirk Mountains
It was the beginning of April, but my hopes for spring conditions were dashed as I watched snowflakes the size of half dollars fall from the British Columbian sky.
Quick Pits Part II: How pits help with in-the-field decision-making
“Wait!” my partner said, as we readied to drop in for a second run. “Should we dig a quick pit?” It was mid-December, so digging was easy—the snowpack was only two feet deep. We decided, “Why not? Can’t hurt. Could help a little, maybe a lot. Let’s dig it.”
New Heights: Scarpa enters a new orbit with their Alien RS
Last year, Scarpa took that tried-and-tested Alien and reformed it for improved downhill capacity with the Alien RS. It retains many of the original Alien’s touring-focused attributes, including a scant weight of 3.9 lbs.—making it the lightest boot at our 2019 Gear Test Week. But other updates mean it can better handle descents and mid-fat skis.
Greg Hill: Revelstoke, B.C.’s high-powered skier passes it on
He’s pushed away from classic ski touring, and I think he was at the forefront of exploratory ski mountaineering in this area; he’s part of that newer generation. There have been people ski touring and doing traverses for a very long time, but, in some ways, he’s changed the way people in this area look at terrain. Greg was the person who started that new era of ski-mountaineering touring in Revelstoke.
Western avalanche death tally rises after two skier fatalities over holiday weekend
In another wave of accidents following multiple slide-related skier deaths in the Western U.S. earlier this month, two avalanches—one in Salt Lake City, Utah’s Electric Lake region on January 18 and another in Aspen, Colo.’s Castle Creek Valley region on January 21—have claimed the lives of two people.
Two skiers die after inbounds avalanche in Taos, New Mexico
An avalanche at Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico on Thursday, January 20 took the lives of two skiers. The accident occurred inbounds on Kachina Peak, terrain that had opened for the season earlier in the week. According to a statement issued by Taos Ski Valley, the avalanche took place shortly after 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, […]
Mountain Skills: Managing larger groups
The slinky—it’s not just a childhood toy; it’s also a ski-group phenomenon. It occurs when the last person in a large group finally arrives at the break spot, only to see the leaders of the group start uphill again. Traveling in larger groups can cause a variety of challenges and logistical problems, not just related to the slinky, too— think pacing, communication and differing goals for the day.
Student dies in Colorado avalanche-safety course, San Juan avy danger remains elevated
An avalanche on the afternoon of Saturday, January 5 in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains took the life of Peter Marshall of Longmont, Colo. Marshall, age 40, was among six individuals in an avalanche safety course who were caught in the slide. The other five survived.
Going the Distance: Six travel and camping essentials
Multiday traverses, winter-camping trips and travels to far-flung destinations might sometimes seem like adventures you only experience vicariously through Instagram and Facebook. But there’s plenty of gear available today that makes ambitious pushes into the mountains more accessible. To push you toward that skintrack walkabout or remote vacation, check out these camping and travel selections that can help get you out there and back safely and smoothly.
