I just got this and set it up in my backyard. I was puzzled by the pole on the car side of the tarp, which is steel, not aluminum. I emailed Big Agnes and was told that since the car side has potential for torqueing, steel was the preferable material.

I do a lot of vehicle-supported expeditions and I prefer waking up to see the sunrise without getting out of my bag, so I'm hoping this tarp fills the bill for that. The design of this tarp looks a lot more user friendly than the MSR bat wing tarp I have been using, although not as flexible. But it would be easy to combine both. It's plenty big enough to protect two cots or for preparing food. And it's high enough to allow entry without ducking. It may take some tarp-craft to secure it in a high wind, but the non-car side can be staked directly to the ground. The upright poles are adjustable, but I think they would be better if they went lower. However, hiking poles could be substituted. All said, it seems to be a very innovative product with a lot of utility.

I've skied Alpine for 40 years and this is my first backcountry boot. It worked really well, both up and downhill. I got them fitted at Footloose in Mammoth Lakes and they did a great job. As others have noted, you have to stay on top of your ski, but in my opinion, that's the best way to ski anyway. I'm a big guy ~250 and was concerned these wouldn't be enough boot, but they were fine on intermediate resort and backcountry runs. I'm confident enough to try steeper runs in them.