I first became aware of these glasses when a friend offered to let me try them and described them as being "like putting cool cucumbers on your eyes." I was skeptical, but he wasn't kidding. On glaciers or anywhere there is blindingly white light, the Explorers are almost a medical necessity as the lens are such high quality and dark. After test driving a pair, I started to notice that almost all of the serious snow professionals were using them, like pilots, guides or forecasters.

The lens on the Explorer is dark, like to the point that they come with a warning about driving with them. I didn't really realize how bright glaciers and snow can be until I started using a pair of Explorers and no longer had headaches at the end of the day. I use a variety of sunglasses, but on really bright days, nothing beats the Explorer.

The one downside of the Explorer is that they don't have the spring-loaded side hinges, which means that it is hard to get them to fit over a hat. The arm ends can be bent into shape to fit your ears/head, but this often means that they have to be pulled kind of tight to your eyes, which can be uncomfortable if you are exerting yourself in the hot sun.

It is hard to find any fault with these boots as they were built as 100% full-on racers. Saying that your feet get wet when using them is like complaining that a Formula 1 race car doesn't have drink holders. These boots are meant to rage, and they do it very well.

I use my Aliens as a touring boot for Wasatch skiing and love getting out on them as they tour so effortlessly. For upright skiing, they work fine as the back cuff is very stiff. For punchy, breakable snow, they are going to be pretty soft on the forward flex, but that can be solved by avoiding punchy, breakable snow.

The Boa toe tensioning system works pretty well, or at least well enough to hold your foot in while being almost weightless. The rear lock-down mechanism is fast, quick and secure - pop the lever and your are in 100% tour mode. Lock it down and it cranks down the cuff as well as the rear lean.

The soles of the Alien are roughly half the thickness of a normal sole, which means they don't retract a pair of ski brakes as much as a normal boot. Exactly... why would you use brakes with a boot like this?

The plastic shell of the boot is more like a thin exoskeleton for a lightweight set of Intuition lines. You can see the liners in several places through the shell, and yes, they do get wet if you are out for a long day, but if you keep moving your feet will stay warm. Bring a spare pair of dry socks for the car ride home.

One of the coolest things about these boots is that they can either make a normal day seem much easier, or with the same amount of effort, they can vastly boost the amount of skiing/vertical you can pump out. It's like flying uphill - very fun.

This is a cool product that sounds pretty dorky until you actually use it. An electric probe? Isn't that something that should only be discussed amongst consenting adults? Not at all.

The hidden beauty of this product is that it allows the user to sweep a large diameter circle (about 5m depending on the length you choose) without moving. This comes into play when you are down to the fine search with a handheld beacon, so instead of sweeping your beacon around in your hand, you wave the wand/probe over the area and pick up an audible "peep." Then, once you have located the strongest signal, you can plunge the probe and it will also help you home in on the buried victim even faster.

The only thing keeping this from being a 5-star product is that the on/off switch is also the battery removal cover and it is very easy to dump the batteries instead of turning the probe on. Other than that, it is a great addition to a backcountry safety kit.

I've been skiing in the Scarpa Maestrale for the 2010/11 season and have now switched over to the Rush for 11/12 as it is basically a lighter, less expensive version of the Maestrale. I prefer three buckle boots as they have a nice clean toe profile (no 4th toe buckle) which works better for booting, climbing or cramponing. The Intution liner molds to a perfect fit and I haven't had so much as a hot spot after 20+ days of touring with the Rush's.

These are definitely a full-on touring boot and are best appreciated in the backcountry. The only reason I gave them a 4-star instead of 5-star rating is that the new arch buckle doesn't seem to clamp my heel down like the older one (Maestrale) does. On a three buckle boot this is more apparent and since I have "skinny" heels, I notice it a bit.

Still, a great all around touring boot that works well for any and all conditions.

I bought this for use in a ski hut and have been fairly disappointed. My main complaint is that it takes roughly four hours + to filter through about 2 gallons of snowmelt water. For ski cabin use, this means you have to first melt the water (two hours?) and then run it through the filter, so you are looking at 6 hours before you get clean water, with no real way to speed it up, like a pump.

The second issue is that it doesn't travel very well. The filters are quite dense and heavy compared to the nipple where they attach to the container. In the process of carrying it, one of the filters cracked off right at the base, and this was when it was being carried in a backpack. Transporting it in an off road vehicle or anything bouncy/rough means that you probably should disassemble the filters (pain in the ass) each time, or somehow pad them.

To use the bottom spigot, it means the entire filter system has to be up off the ground. I have mine on the floor, so I would have liked to see a plug for this, just as they added in a plug in case one of your filters broke (lucky for me...).

Yes, I may be using it for the wrong application, but I probably would have been better off with a manual pumping unit.

There is a lot to love about this shovel and after using it for the first time it became my instant favorite. The only difference between this shovel and the basic version is that this shovel has a "rescue kit" that stows in the shaft. This can be easily added or removed as needed and doesn't effect the performance of the shovel.

The Blade
- Nice flat back, which cuts clean, vertical pit walls (no scooping)
- Flat, reinforced upper lip for ski boot stomping. No curves means your boot doesn't glance off.
- Welded ferrule on the back provides a beefy blade to handle connection
- Slots in the blade mean it can be used as a deadman if need be (unlikely, but why not?)
- Heat treated blade, not work hardened. This makes for a very durable blade
- The blade size is juuuuust right - not too big, not too small. Digs well and also fits in packs
- Pseudo serrations on the leading edge (scalloping) which help the point penetrate hard snow.

The Handle
- Has a two positions in the "short" length which allow you to store the handle in a tight pack
- Beautifully cast aluminum handle
- Very solid and secure fit between shaft sections - no janking around

Overall, this shovel hits the perfect balance of weight, strength and function. It will take a beatings/stomping and not break and the tight tolerances on it means that it isn't rattling around when you use it. This shovel comes without the rescue kit in it, which I prefer as I want the lighter weight and the rescue kit is just basically a few nuts, bolts and straps - stuff I think I could jury-rig in the field with other items. The modified T-grip handle also allows you to use the shovel in "hoe mode" which is a nice feature for rapidly clearing snow.

I used this rope in conjunction with a 7.8mm Sterling Photon for glacier travel and ski mountaineering in Antarctica and loved it. Both ropes are fantastic by themselves, but used together you get a huge range of flexibility. You can lead vertical ice/rock with the Nano, cross glaciers and rappel with it. The sheath has a beautiful "hand" to it and it flows easily over snow and through carabiners, yet also ties nice, tight knots. The Nano is a lightweight, but full strength rope. About the only thing you shouldn't do with it is "work" routes or take repeated falls in quick succession, but as a ski mountaineering rope, it is perfect.

There is a lot to love about this shovel and after using it for the first time it became my instant favorite.

The Blade
- Nice flat back, which cuts clean, vertical pit walls (no scooping)
- Flat, reinforced upper lip for ski boot stomping. No curves means your boot doesn't glance off.
- Welded ferrule on the back provides a beefy blade to handle connection
- Slots in the blade mean it can be used as a deadman if need be (unlikely, but why not?)
- Heat treated blade, not work hardened. This makes for a very durable blade
- The blade size is juuuuust right - not too big, not too small. Digs well and also fits in packs
- Pseudo serrations on the leading edge (scalloping) which help the point penetrate hard snow.

The Handle
- Has a two positions in the "short" length which allow you to store the handle in a tight pack
- Beautifully cast aluminum handle
- Very solid and secure fit between shaft sections - no janking around

Overall, this shovel hits the perfect balance of weight, strength and function. It will take a beatings/stomping and not break and the tight tolerances on it means that it isn't rattling around when you use it. This shovel comes without the rescue kit in it, which I prefer as I want the lighter weight and the rescue kit is just basically a few nuts, bolts and straps - stuff I think I could jury-rig in the field with other items. The modified T-grip handle also allows you to use the shovel in "hoe mode" which is a nice feature for rapidly clearing snow.

I had a chance to use four separate airbag packs last year and this one was my favorite for day tours. A major problem with many of the other packs is that they are so heavy, bulky or carry so poorly that after a while I started to only take them out on "dangerous" days, but if it was dangerous, then I was being extra careful to begin with. Like a seat belt, you have to wear an avalanche pack all the time for them to be effective, not just when you think you might trigger a slide.

Specifically, this pack is nice as it has two balloons (nice if one pops in the rocks, etc) and also two venturis to fill them up, so it inflates much faster. It also uses a nitrous cylinder, which at first seems like a negative (can't refill them at a scuba shop), but in practice it means a much small, lighter cylinder and no gauge, so the entire package is lighter and trimmer.

The pack I've been using is last year's version, but is basically the same idea. It is a very small pack that zips on/off of the "base unit" and the pack can be swapped out for a larger size. The 15 liter is tiny for day touring, but in the Wasatch you don't need much, so it works fine for my needs. You can't really carry much more than a shovel and a bit of food in it, but you can strap stuff onto the back if need be.

The harness is well thought out and features a lightweight steel buckle that is easy to thread with gloves/mitts on. The waist strap also has a velcro tab which allows you to wear the waist belt without having it fully cranked down. This is a nice feature as sometimes you just want to tag the pack on (like walking around in the parking lot) without going through the hassle of fully engaging it. The trigger can also be moved from side to side, as well as up or down, which is a great feature.

Overall, the best thing about this pack is that it is light and trim enough that I wear it all the time, which is the bottom line. The main, and only downside is the price, but airbag packs in general are pricey, so you might as well get the best one.

This is a great headlamp and almost a minor miracle compared to the old battery burning incandescent headlamps of about 10 years ago. I like how this uses four AAA batteries and is very compact. You no longer need to carry a tiny little headlamp just in case, as this one will serve that purpose as well as providing enough power for almost any trip.

I recently use my Storm for an all-night ride around the 100 mile White Rime trail in Utah and was psyched. The batteries didn't last as long as they said they would (Alkalines = 5-6 hours at full power), but AAA's are small and easy to carry, plus, you are probably going to carry spares anyway, so it wasn't a big deal.

On the negative side, the top on/off and dimming button is hard to feel as it doesn't feel much different from the plastic housing. I spent quite a bit of time fumbling around trying to find it. Also, it takes a while to develop a feel for the settings that switch between modes and in the beginning I was also getting stuck in the dreaded flashing red light mode. But once you figure it out, it works great.

As a headlamp quiver of one, the Storm is perfect. Good price, good light, good durability, etc..

For our kids, the idea of wearing a Skeeter is so exciting that they can't wait to go hiking. The Skeeter is small, lightweight and gives them some control over how much they can drink (or squirt on ants), which is important. I only see one color available at BC.com, but we have different colors for the kids and they like the idea of having their own design.

The Skeeter is very basic and affordable. I ended up adding on a sternum strap as it kept falling off of our kids shoulders.

Our kids love the idea of having their own special sleeping bag, especially a plum/pink colored one, and the Mountain Goat fits the bill. They are synthetic, affordable and sized for kids, all of which are important features. We had two of them blow out of a Rocket Box and get run over on the Freeway, but they survived with only small tears in the stuff sacks.

At 40's, these aren't for cold weather camping, but if the kids are still in PJ's, it works fine.

As the other reviewer mentioned, the bags do suffer from "zipper suck" where the fabric gets pulled into the zipper teeth if you are not careful. Aside from that, it is a great bag.

We use the Corners 6 for family camping (car camping mostly) and not only do we love it, but others always comment on it as well. It is huge, but also very well made and capable of withstanding some nasty weather. It is fairly simple to erect and the pole pattern is self explanatory. The main problem with getting it up is that it is so high that it can be hard to get the fly over the top, although with two people this isn't an issue.

The connection between the long poles and the shorter sub poles could use some reinforcement as we have already broken two of the plastic parts. That said, it doesn't seem to matter as they stay in place without the connector.

Tents in this category (big family style) aren't really made to take a lot of wind, and this tent is no exception as it has such large sides. It can be tethered down, but finding a sheltered place to set it up in the first place is the best choice.

The Wayback is the latest incarnation of the Mount Baker Superlight, which was/is a very popular ski for the Wasatch backcountry. The update includes a wee bit of rocker, but not enough to make it a seem weird or super-specialized. To me, the rocker acts a bit like a shock absorber - you can see some manky coming up and instead of the ski getting violently knocked around, it has a mellower feel as it rides through it.I'm 5,10", 145 lbs and ski the 167cm version. This length has enough float and stability for me and also makes quick hop turns if you are skiing tight chutes. One of the main attributes of K2 skis is that they are very well made, which means that you can get quite a few seasons out of them, or not worry about breaking a ski on an expedition.I haven't compared the Wayback to other skis (Dynafit, BD, etc.) but in the K2 line-up, I'd describe it as an ideal soft-snow ski mountaineering ski. The Backout is a bit better in firm snow and the Coomback is a bit floatier for fast powder surfing, but the Wayback does a great job covering a wide variety of conditions.It would be fine in the resorts, but it really shines in the backcountry as it is light, versatile and fun.

As the description above says, this is an excellent unit for checking to make sure that everyone is transmitting at a trailhead or throughout the day. You can also do this with most beacons, but it involves spreading people out and/or setting your beacon to check mode, or turning the sensitivity way down (not many beacons do this nowadays). The beauty of the Checker Beacon is that it is small, simple and easy to do, so you end up doing it more often. This is an especially important piece of gear if you often end up as the default trip leader on ski outings as you can give a quick scan and then ski in peace knowing that everyone is beeping.

I've been using Scarpa boots for 15 years and was a bit anxious when I saw that this year's touring model, the Maestrale only came in a four buckle version. In years past, four buckles meant a heavier boot that skied well, but didn't tour well, but the Maestrale changed that. Not only is it lighter than the Spirit 3 (or Lazer, Matrix of years past), it tours like a dream due to the articulated tongue. This is hard to explain or even visualize, but when the boot is loose, the tongue allows fore/aft flexing, but when clamped down, it is rock solid.

I've been out for some early season tours on these (November) and they immediately became my favorite boot. The tour mode, sole pattern, amount of rocker, buckle details, etc., are all classic Scarpa - high quality and very durable. This is the type of boot you can use for local touring, then take it on an expedition to the highest peaks in the world and still have it perform flawlessly.

I'm not a flex rating fanatic, so I don't know how the rating compares to other boots, although by nature, it is not as stiff as a full-on boot like the Scarpa Mobe or others. It is an all purpose touring boot.

The Intuition liners are high quality and form well to my feet. I had them fitted at a shop (Black Diamond in SLC), but some people have said they just wear them in and they eventually conform to your foot after about five outings.

Scarpa uses original "tech fittings" from Dynafit, which is great as they are easy to get in/out of and work perfectly with Dynafit bindings (designed by the same company after all...) The powerstrap has some elasticity to it this year, ala a Booster Strap, which is nice as it provides a firm, yet forgiving feel to it when you hit the tongue instead of a sharp break.

I use SuperFeet insoles, but aside from that, I use these boots as is, straight out of the box and love them._

I put a link up on my website on how I have them fitted for touring. http://straightchuter.com/2010/11/warm-blister-free-boot-fitting/

Summary: A great, high quality all-around backcountry/ski mountaineering boot.

This is the new & improved version of the Hotwire carabiner which I squandered a year of my life designing at Black Diamond. The idea of a wire gate had been around for quite a while in the sailing world, but the original Hotwire was the first time it was used in a full-strength climbing carabiner and it was initially met with a lot of skepticism. Jonny Woodward was really the product champion of the idea and worked to perfect the concept to the point where it had the same (or better) gate action as a regular carabiner and was as strong. Because the spring steel in the gate is so hard, the crux was figuring out how to peen the ends of the wires.

For rock climbing, my rack is about 80% wiregates and most of those are Hotwires as they are a good all around biner. There are lighter carabiners out there, but the Hotwire is still "full sized" so it isn't fumbly. Wire gate carabiners are much less prone to gate whiplash, which is one of the leading causes of open gate biner failure.

The new Hotwire (shown on this page) is a hot forged version which makes for a lighter biner with the same strength as the old one. Wire gated biners are especially useful for Alpine racks as they are lightweight and not as prone to jamming with snow.

An improvement on the standard ATC, but also requires a bit of thinking. I belayed two following climbers with this the other day which was pretty cool, but something I seldom do, but I could see how it would be very useful for guiding, which is perhaps why it is called the "ATC Guide." To set it up for two followers requires that it is hung from the anchors (not your harness) and it needs to be at an appropriate height, or it is difficult to feed. Standing on a ledge with the ATC at chest level is ideal. If it is lower or higher, it can be difficult to feed. On my first belay I accidentally fed the rope in backwards and although it still worked, it was obviously hard to feed in/out rope (the notches grab). I got it right on the second belay and the beauty of the device became apparent - you can belay two climbers on two different diameter ropes and lock either one off while still reeling in the other. Pretty cool. For belaying a leader, you need to change it over from the anchors to your harness like a regular belay device and of course, you should only be belaying one leader at a time.

The ATC Guide also works well for rappelling with different sized ropes.

The beauty of this device is that you can almost climb as fast with three people as with two because both followers can come up at the same time.

I got a pair of these in a gift bag as part of participating in a race and love them! They are the summer/spring/fall low top version and are perfect for daily wear and/or running, biking, hiking, etc.. I've been partial to Bridgedale or Smartwool, but these are on par quality-wise and cost less. The Merino wool is durable and retains it's loft after many washings, which means that they are still warm, cushy and comfy after hundreds of washings. I wish I had the "Lupine" color instead of the blue, but aside from that, I am very happy with these socks.

Few things get skiers as riled up as discussing ski crampons, but in my mind, these are the best of the bunch. They ONLY work with Dynafit bindings, but that is fairly common with other ski crampons (Fritschi) as well.

The thing I like about these is that they are cleverly integrated into the binding in such a way that they are easy to take on/off, yet they are very secure. They also pivot upwards as you take a stride, so that they aren't digging into the snow like fixed crampons do. This makes it possible to use them for long tours without an awkward stride.

The teeth are also moderate in length compared to some other designs. In general, I only use ski 'poons when it is really icy, so the extra long "powder points" of other crampons seem like overkill and are pointless (so to speak). If it is powder, why would you need a crampon?

These units are light, durable and easy to carry in your pack as they nest together well and can be clipped off through the hole.

All Dynafit bindings, and even the imitators for that matter share the same core elements as this binding. The difference with this version is that it is stripped down about as far as it can go and still be user friendly. The Dynafit racing binding is a bit lighter, but lacks any sort of fore/aft adjustment. If you are looking for a sophisticated, yet simple binding, this is it.

Aside from cosmetics and a few creature comforts, this is binding has everything else the other Dynafits do, but in a minimalist package. The main difference between this binding and the ST Vertical is that the TLT has less fore/aft adjustment in the heel, which means you can only adjust it 2mm fore/aft, or 4mm total. This is roughly one boot size, so if you change boots or loan your skis to a friend, they may not be able to adjust the bindings enough.

You can get brakes for these, but they are not optimized for brakes like the ST Vertical. When I use the TLT's, I generally use them with leashes or nothing.

I like the TLT for wide/fat skis as they help keep the total weight down and it can often be hard/expensive to find brakes for uber phatties anyway.

Bottom Line: An excellent touring binding, especially if you don't need much/any fore/aft adjustment or brakes. Aside from that, they tour like a dream and are 150% burly and reliable (see video on this product).

Since their introduction a few years ago, the Coombacks have become a design classic. This year they have a slightly different rocker and Snophobic top sheets, which make them even better yet. They can be used as a one-ski, one-world application, but where they really shine is for going fast in deep powder.

I've seen them mounted with all sorts of bindings and have yet to hear anything but enthusiastic reviews.

The K2 skin attachment and dedicated skin system works very well with these skis as the nose/shovel profile is kind of flat/fat, but the K2 system relies on the central hole, so this isn't an issue.

I have my Coombacks mounted up with some Dynafit TLT bindings, which makes for a light setup.

More often than not I'll go out on my K2 Waybacks (updated Mt. Baker Superlights), but when it is really deep and soft, nothing beats breaking out the big boys - the Coombacks.

This might well rate as one of the coolest, most esoteric pieces of gear out there, but I happen to love it. A big part of this is that it is very quick, accurate and easy to use, so you end up using it all the time. I attach mine to my ski pole just below the handle and pull slope angles multiple times per day with it, as much as anything just to keep my angle estimation skills sharp.

In the past I've used Life-Link and other slope meters, but they have either broken, or are hard to get at so I don't measure slopes as often as I should. But, not with this one. I like to make a game out of it and have everyone in the touring party guess the slope angle before actually measuring it. Slope angles are one of the most important aspects of avalanche safety and it is important to develop and eye for subtleties in the 30-40 degree range. Like a mechanic looking at a nut or bolt, you should be able to look at a slope from a variety of angles and call the inclination to within a degree or so.

This unit also has a thermometer on it, which is a nice feature as well.

The unit can be operated with glvoes/mittens on and turns itself off after ten seconds. The battery is non-replaceable, but will supposedly last for ten years of heavy use.

As a geeky sidenote, slope angle indictators are often called inclinometers, but the correct term for a tool to measure angles such as ski slopes is a goniometer. Inclinometers measure the angle of an aircraft in relation to the ground (or horizon?).

A very useful tool and perfect gift.

I've used the Contour HD 1080p for about six months and held off on writing a review of it as I wanted to be sure I was giving it a good testing. Now that I have, I'm sold on it! It is so small and portable that it goes beyond a helmet camera and is more of a wearable cam - you can hand hold it, mounting it just about anywhere, clip it to a helmet, handle bars, a hat, chest harness or just about anything.

I have been using it mostly for skiing and in that regard it is great. The on/off switch is big and has a positive feel to it so you know if the camera is running. It also has a very audible tone for on and for off, so you don't end up filming the inside of your pack while you thing the thing is off.

The quality of the image is impressive. Actually, it is so impressive that I had to get a new computer just to process the video. If you shoot hi-def, it takes a fast computer and a huge hard drive to store and edit it. This has nothing to do with the Contour HD, but beware.

I was very happy to see that the memory cards for this camera were cheap - like $10 for a 4GB, or maybe even less.

My biggest concern with this camera, which I have heard others say as well, is that you have to set it with a computer and once it is set and out in the field, you can't change it. This is a problem if you set it for a sunny day and then ski into the trees as the trees to completely black. So, you have to be careful about your settings and learn what works and what doesn't work with the camera.

Pros:
- Super durable
- Easy to use in the field
- Can be attached to just about anything
- Can be rotated to any angle
- Can be handheld
- Pretty good audio, or at least good enough for me.
- Many accessories like clips, holders, extra batteries, etc.

Cons:
- have to set camera up with a computer. Can't adjust in the field.

Overall, a modern miracle! Highly recommended.

I started using Bridgedale socks about ten years ago and still own my first pair. They are well made (understatement), comfortable, hold their shape, warm and snug without being too tight. I like warm feet for backcountry skiing, so I wear a thick sock like this and mold my liners a bit loose.

The computerized weaving on these socks is amazing as it puts the warmth and padding where you need it, and keeps them trim where you don't.

There are probably other good socks out there, but Bridgedales are amazing, so I keep going back to them.

I got one of these as a gift and it has turned into one of my all time favorite pieces of backcountry camping gear, especially for snow camping.

The beauty of this mug is that it is much larger than it looks (you can pack a gut-full of food into it) so you always get more than your "fairshare" and thus the name of the mug.

Beyond that, it is made out of durable plastic which can take a ton of abuse without cracking. The handle has a nice hole in it, so you can tie a keeper cord on it to clip to the outside of your pack.

Another excellent feature is the screw-on top. This works well for carrying items that need to be protected (small electronics, cameras, gps, etc.) as you can place them inside, then seal them up. Another cool feature of the top is that you can screw it on tight enough to throw a full cup of coffee from one tent to another without spilling a drop!

I've wrapped mine with blue foam to help insulate it and use a plastic quart sized container as a "liner" inside of it, so I can eat food and drink at the same time.

A great gift.

Angles are lovely, Lost Arrows are fine, but for thin crack protection, Knifeblades are divine. ;)

I like Bugs & Blades as they will often give you bomber protection where nothing else will fit, like in a super-thin crack. For some of the fatter cracks, you can use cams, hexes or stoppers, but when it comes to thin little seams, nothing inspires confidence like a Bug driven to the hilt.

Because of the 4130 ChroMo and the ground taper blade, both of these pitons go in very smoothly and get tighter with each hammer stroke. If you can sink a Bug to the hilt in a horizontal granite crack, you are golden!

I carry a small selection (4-6) of these on a biner for alpine climbing in places like the Tetons, or when I think I might have to set an anchor while Ski Mountaineering. They are lightweight, stack well against each other and can be bomber in the right place.

For wall climbing, they can take the abuse of being hammered in and out many times, yet still stay usable. If the blade gets bent, it can be pounded flat again and reused until its time has come to be welded into a high mountain crack, which is how all Bugs & Blades would like to spend eternity.

The Knifeblades are smaller and thinner than the Bugaboos. If in doubt, try some Bugs first as the Blades are for reeeeally skinny little cracks.

The three prongs of the Talon not only provide stability, but each point has a different configuration, so you can latch on to small, medium or large rock nubbins. The smallest point is optimized for hooking into 1/4 drilled holes, which is common on Big Walls or with Canyoneering.

Talons are specialized pieces of climbing equipment, but for those who are going into that type of terrain, they work great.

I love plugging in a solid Camalot and there is nothing like the solid, secure feel they inspire. I spent 18 months of my life redesigning the previous version of these cams (the ones with the single thumb tab) and am the first to admit that this new generation is an improvement on those, as well as being the best cams on the market for this size range.

There is a lot to be said about these cams, but overall, the thing that makes them stand out is the attention to detail. They are beautifully made, tested and designed to the point where using them is a joy. The action is silky smooth, the cams are crisp and the hand interface is natural and solid.

These are the most tested & proven cam on the market and more like an investment in your climbing career than a simple purchase. You can't go wrong.

I used one of these on a recent trip up to the Alaska Mountain Range and became an instant fan. In the past, I've favored a two pad system for winter camping - one foam and one inflatable. The ExPed is nice as it gives you more flotation and comfort than a two pad system, yet is also smaller and lighter.

If you haven't seen or slept on these, they are more like an inflatable mattress than your typical thin inflatable pad. The integrated "pump" is more like a porous sponge which allows you to press air into the chambers. This is good as it keeps your moist air out of the chambers (and thus the down), but it also takes a long time to inflate it, like 5+ minutes of pushing. Still, if you are only inflating it once every few days, like in a basecamp scenario, the good night's sleep you get from it is well worth it.

Another thing that is not apparent from the photos is that these things are thick - like 2" tall when they are inflated. This is nice as you can roll around all you want and not hit your bony hips or have your shoulders get cold.

Like any inflatable mat, the downside is that if they do pop or leak, you are SOL until you can find the hole, which can take a while. But, in the case of the ExPed mat, it has a thicker covering on it, which makes it less prone to puncturing. I used it for three weeks and it was fine.

Overall, a definite advancement in inflatable pad technology.

I got these boots mainly as a resort and kite skiing boot and love them for those uses. You could tour with them, but there are probably better touring boots out there (Spirit 4 comes to mind). But, as a boot that can handle a day of hard skiing at the resort, then with a flip of the switch allow you to tour out of the resort and into the backcountry, the Typhoon is great.

The soles have no rocker, so they walk like an alpine boot - a bit clunky. But, they do have a Vibram sole, so if you are booting, you'll have good traction. These boots also work well with crampons like the BD Sabertooth.

I had the liners fitted and molded at a shop and have had no blisters or hot spots with them. They are comfy and warm, yet when clamped down, you can get a lot of performance out of them.

The Typhoons don't come with Tech fittings, so if you are going to tour with them, you can't use a Dynafit binding. This doesn't matter all that much as they are more of a Marker Duke or Fritschi type of boot.

They only time I am ever annoyed by these boots is when I am getting into them as the buckles, tongue and shells all seem to conspire against going together in the right order and it can be tricky to get all the parts lined up. I've found that rotating the buckles out of the way helps with this quite a bit.

Overall, I'd say these are a 85% resort boot and 15% touring, but if that is what you are looking for (I am), they are perfect. You can hammer the resorts day after day in them, then skin back from a trip to the sidecountry if needed.

Another big plus is the fine Italian craftsmanship on these babies - they are a work of art that you can take out and play with.

I got a pair of K2 Kung Fujas for kite skiing as they handle chop, crust, powder and hard pack well, and they're also twin tips, which is useful in kite skiing for backing up or landing switch after getting boosted. But, after getting them for kiting, I found I loved them as an all around resort ski even more.

These skis walk that fine line between being forgiving, yet still snappy and performance oriented. I ski them in a short length (169cm) and have found that dulling the tips helps a lot to keep them from being too hooky - otherwise, all you needed to do was put a bit of pressure on your big toe and these skis would come around. They are very responsive.

I'm not a park & pipe rider, but I liked these skis as general all around performers as they did everything, and did it well. You can probably find a better hardpack or groomer ski, but the Fujas can handle the bumps, crud and powder, and then be right at home on the cruisers as well. I recently took them up to Sun Valley and straightlined a bunch of runs with some friends. The biggest problem was the length, but aside from that, they felt stable at high speeds.

I wish they didn't have those little rivets on the tips/tails as they tend to make your skis hang up if you ever cross your tips/tails. Not a big issue, but I'd remove them if I could.

I have these mounted up with a pair of Marker Dukes, which if nothing else makes for a very pretty ski & binding set up as they have the same color scheme.

I seldom wear these outside the house, but inside, I seldom wear anything but. They are very comfy and disturbingly addictive. When I first got them as a gift I thought I'd try them and never wear them, but I've ended up wearing them almost all the time as you can slip them on and off so easily and they are warm without being sweaty or confining (at least here in Park City). I've heard people call them "swampy" but I haven't had that experience - perhaps my feet don't sweat very much.

A key to wearing them is to crush down the back part of the shoe with your heel so they are almost like slippers. You can still pop it back up if needed (unlike other stiffer shoes/sandals), but I hardly ever do.

I wouldn't take these very far off the road or use them for any sort of outdoor activity, but some people do.

They make and EXCELLENT hut shoe for backcountry skiing! Small, lightweight and comfy. I'll also often bring them to houses where people prefer that you don't wear shoes - I take my street shoes off and wear these and they seem okay with it.

A pretty cool bopping around piece of footwear. Steezy fo' sho.

I'd go for 4.5 stars on these mittens if the half star rating was available. Almost perfect, at least for warmish Wasatch backcountry skiing. I love the leather palms and they way the break-in nicely with ski poles. The trigger finger on the liner is really nice as it gives you a good feel for dealing with buckles and straps, and, it helps keep the liner from "rolling" inside of the mitten shell, which is part of what makes mittens seem so clumsy.

I like how I can wear these as is, or strip out the liners and use them in warm conditions, or, just use the shells if you are trenching through snow and want some protection for you hands, but want to keep your liners off and dry. It is like getting three sets of mittens for the price of one.

The Spearhead is not a super warm mitten and would probably not be enough for places like Alaska or elsewhere where it can get rip-ass cold. But, for a general purpose mitten at an excellent price, the Spearhead is my long standing favorite.

I own about 30 headlamps, and for local Dawn Patrol outings, this is my current favorite. It is light, compact, uses rechargeable batteries and can be adjusted for low light for booting up or skinning, or a full-on flame thrower for skiing.

I don't know what LED technology it uses, but it is significantly brighter than the past generation of LED headlamps, and perhaps more importantly, it has a beautiful, clean, white light.

The rechargeable battery means that you can't take it on expeditions (unless the glacier you are on has a 110v wall outlet on it), which means it is mainly an urban light. This is fine as that is where usually use a headlamp.

A kind of annoying feature with this headlamp is that the default setting for the little flashing red light on the back is "on" which is great if you are running or road biking by yourself, but will drive your skiing buddies who are right behind you crazy with its incessant blinking. It can be turned off, but it requires another button to be pushed.

But, overall it is a clean, sleek, compact design and it seems quite durable if you wad it up and stuff it in a pack. Headlamps have come a looong ways in ten years!

I use these for 90% of my backcountry skiing in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah and think they are excellent. I've always like the way leather gloves break in and fit your hand and a ski pole, but didn't like the way the leather absorbed water. The difference with these gloves is the OutDry membrane, which I think if fantastic.

I brought these down to Antarctica and used them for a day of skiing, then reached directly into the ocean a picked up a small iceberg at the end of the day with them on. Much to the surprise of my team mates, my hands and the insides of the gloves were still bone dry. I've also held them under the spraying faucets at the Ouray Ice Park for five minutes while flexing them with the same results - totally dry. In normal conditions, like skiing, or climbing up a couloir where your hands might be in the snow a lot, my hands are always dry.

Like others have said, my hands occasionally get cold in these gloves, but no more or less than other gloves. If I want really warm hands, I wear mittens.

These gloves have broken in well, yet are also durable.

This is my favorite avalanche probe and the only one I consistently carry for day tours. It seems a little weird at first and the idea of an electric probe might be right up there with an electric spoon, but once you see it in action, the usefulness becomes very apparent.

The advantage of the iProbe is that it has a receiver in the tip of it that is always set to fine search, so as you sweep the probe tip over a debris pile, it will light up when it is within a meter or so of the buried target. This is cool as the 225cm length, plus the length of your arms, means you can sweep a six meter circle very quickly and without moving. When you go to plunge it and the sensor gets very close (within inches) of the victim, the buzzer goes off in a way that leaves no doubt that you've found your mark.

The iProbe is simple and easy to use. As a probe, it is sturdy aluminum with a nice, solid interlocking design and a secure tensioning system. All it takes to turn it on is to flip the switch - the rest is intuitive.

The downside of the iProbe is that the on/off switch is also where you loade the battery, and I have mistakenly opened the batter compartment and dropped the battery in the snow many times. No big deal when practicing, but it would be a drag in a real rescue scenario.

It took me a little while to grow to love the Wayback pack, but now that I'm use to it, I love it. For me, one of the biggest changes was getting use to the backpanel access, which seems weird if you have always used top loaders or outside clamshell designs. The advantage of a back panel access pack is that it makes for a very clean exterior profile, so you don't have a lot of zippers or straps to catch on trees and such when skiing, which is a great feature. Back Panel loaders are also nice as you can throw the pack down in the snow it's back, then get into the main body of the pack without getting snow all over the back panel, which will then melt onto your back or jacket.

Aside from the back panel, the Wayback has a nice size to it and I can carry all the necessities for a day tour - spare jacket, first aid kit, shovel, probe, food, water, goggles, etc.. Due to the nice corrugated back frame, it carries well and is torsionally stiff, but flexes with your back as well.

The external shovel pocket is nice as it keeps your snowy, wet shovel away from the main contents of the pack. The Wayback also has a nice set of straps which can carry skis/boards in a variety of ways - diagonal, A Frame or straight up on the back.

The top pockets are a bit funky - one is kind of small and I hardly ever use it. I think it is for sunglasses, but I keep mine elsewhere. The little side pockets are nice for gels/bars and the shoulder straps are comfy.

Overall, a very solid pack that will last for year and works very well.

I reserve the five star rating for very few items, but the Petzl Ascension Handled Ascender is worthy of it. This was an instant design classic when it first came out and has improved with various iterations over the years. These are the ascenders of choice if you are going to be doing lots of jugging as they are comfortable, secure and have a smooth action. They are ideal for Big Wall climbing, but I have also used them for Adventure Racing, Caving and cleaning routes.

About the only thing to watch on them is that the rope is fully engaged before you start fumbling with the trigger. Unlike other ascenders, with this one the rope is either in, or out - there is not threading, or halfway about it. This is good as it is secure, but if you are tired and not paying attention, the rope will pop right out when you thumb the trigger. Always tie a backup knot and never trust your life to one piece of equipment!

The Petzl Tibloc is a brilliant piece of design, although it is often misunderstood or misused. Its main purpose is as an emergency, lightweight ascender for climbing up ropes, like in the case of a crevasse fall or ascending a short bulge. These are NOT intended for thousands of feet of jugging (climbing ropes) or as a replacement for a Prussic cord on your glacier kit. Due to the aggressive teeth, if you fell on a Tibloc, you could easily tear the sheath on a rope, so these are for ascending only. They are perfect for times when you think you might need to ascend a rope (crevasse fall, tough climb that you might not make it up, canyoneering), but don't want to carry a full-on ascender.

I've been using a MHW Compressor Jacket as an "emergency" jacket for backcountry skiing or outdoor use for the last few years and think it is perfect for this type of use. It is compact (thus the name), basic, affordable and has a nice combination of features without going overboard.

I like the synthetic insulation as with an emergency jacket like this, you never know what kind of conditions you are going to be using it, in and it is nice not to have to worry about it getting wet. For instance, if you fell in a creek and needed an immediate warm layer, this type of jacket would be way better than down.

I usually wear a size "medium" but for this jacket and use, I wear a "large" as it will fit over any other clothes/jackets and also creates a lot of extra dead air space, which is warm.

This jacket is available in hooded or not, and I personally like the hooded version, although for most other jackets, I go hoodless.

When it is in my pack, it is about the size of a loaf of bread and so far has taken quite a bit of abuse.

I've used these duffle bags on numerous trips and they still look brand new. They can be dragged, thrown, overfilled, sit in the rain or strapped to a donkey and it just doesn't matter. Uber burly. These feature a stout zippers which can be locked with a zip-tie and internal pockets. They also have an internal strapping system which is a nice way to stabilize your gear without having a bunch of straps hanging off the side.

The downside of them is that they are heavy, which is a concern with the new 50lb limit on airplanes (the big bag weighs in at 8lbs).

Kind of like a beautifully crafted second skin - warm, unobtrusive and very comfortable. I like these for BC skiing as they don't overlap/interfere with ski socks or boots.

One of the HUGE advantages of Merino wool is that is not stinky. You can wear these tights for days/weeks on end and they don't get too grungy.

Very nice.

I love Oz 'biners for alpine climbing or as part of my glacier kit as they are small, light, strong and tight (as in narrow, so they pack well on a rack or harness). Due to their narrow rope bearing surface, I wouldn't use them on a quick draw I was planning on falling on very often, but as a simple utilitarian biner, they are nice. The wiregate also helps keep them from plugging with snow, which is another big plus for the alpine world. When matched with a Dynamee (sp?) sling, it is an unbelievably light set up.

If you are going to carry a probe (and you should), this is the one to get. It isn't the lightest or easiest to assemble, but it is very strong and won't let you down. Doily little carbon probes and ski pole probes bend and break in hard snow or avalanche debris. The G3 Pro Tech probe will not only last through many practice probes, but will work when you leave it set up for weeks at a time while probing glaciers for crevasses.

The large diameter tubing and stout ferrules are a plus. The downside is that the screw top adjustment takes time, but hopefully your partner can be digging for the victim while you are getting your probe set up.

I've been using the Green Superfeet for years in my Alpine Touring boots (Scarpa) and between the insoles and thermofit liners, I never get blisters. I've been told I have flat feet, so I like the extra arch support these insoles provide. Plus, they are very durable. I've swapped my green insoles out of successive ski boots for years and they are still going strong.

From what I've seen, these insoles come in a vast array of lengths and arch heights. I can't speak to all of those, but I have narrow feet with flattish arches and the "normal" size works for me.

The premium insole (the one reviewed here) is just a nicer, winterized version of their classic green insole. I don't notice any real temperature difference with the reflective foil, but it probably doesn't hurt either.

Overall, a great addition to a pair of ski boots.

Our daughter loves her Crazy Creek Kidz chair in part because it works well, but more because she fits in with all of the adults who are hanging out in theirs. The Kidz chair has fun patterns and is a simplified version of the adult chair (simple straps, doesn't fold up quite as much). We put the Kidz chair into the back of a cheap little plastic sled (it fits perfectly) and use it to pull our daughter uphill for skiing.

Pretty much the Gold Standard in men's boxer underwear and the most comfortable thing out there. My brother in law claims you can go for weeks without changing them, and while I wouldn't go that far, the nice loose fit and silky material does mean they stay comfy and dry for extended periods of time.

I think I still have my first pair, which says something about their durability. The elastic waist stays strong without being too tight. They are also available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, which means they can double as swim trunks in a pinch.

Back when I use to shop at REI, I would spend all of my dividend cash on getting a few news pairs of these every year. They are kind of pricey, but last forever. They also make a great gift item if you are looking for something for the guy who has everything - kind of the modern day equivalent of a tie for the adventurous type.

If I had to pick one tool for ski mountaineering, this would be it. The straight(ish) shaft of the Venom works well for plunging (boot axe belay or quick anchor), yet it also has just enough clearance to reach around ice bugles if you happen to be climbing ice. There are probably better tools in specific catagories, like vertical water ice, alpine climbing, etc., but for all around use, the Venom covers all my bases.

Where the Venom really shines is on something like a winter ascent of the Grand Teton. You need something light as you are going to be carrying it for a long time (the Venom is sub 500 grams I think..?), then you need a tool that you can climb some moderate ice with, perhaps pound a few pitons, plunge in some steep snow and then carry securely on your pack. The Venom is perfect for all of this - nothing more, nothing less.

I gave it a four star rating as I wish it used the existing BD picks instead of the special Venom pick. While these are fine, they aren't quite as strong (a B rating instead of the burlier T rating) and they use two little screws to secure them instead of the one big honkin' mother screw of the other BD tools.

The attached photo shows the tool on a backpack - this was the tool of choice for climbing Mt. Foraker in Alaska.

I can't believe the Monkey Man Jacket hasn't been reviewed and praised by thousands of other people! It is an excellent all purpose fleece jacket with two nice big side pockets, a breast pocket, nice high collar and trim fitting cuffs.

It has a million uses, including everything from being just an everyday jacket to a piece of technical clothing for a layering system. It has an incredibly high thermal rating, which means that it keeps you very warm. This is excellent when you want it, but it also means that you will overheat if you wear it for any extended physical activity.

It works well for camping, belaying, boating or any other cold weather activity. Warm, well made, comfortable and available in a huge variety of colors. Hard to go wrong.

I like the idea of the Baby Bivy way better than the actual product. The idea is pretty simple - a little papoose that easily and securely attaches to a Chariot stroller to you can load your infant up, clip them into the Chariot, go for a stroll/ride/ski, then lift them out without waking them up.The reality is that the "five minute" installation took over an hour and the parts they supplied didn't work with the dual Chariot. I ended up scrapping the supplied hardware and rigging up my own system. Not only that, but the Baby Bivy is quite big, so it crowds out the other passenger. As supplied, the hardware holds the Baby Bivy at a weird angle with the kid's feet higher than their head, which the instructions say to fix with a blanket. For $66, I think it should be perfect. Also, the assembly instructions and photos are horrible.But, if you can get over all of this, it holds the baby well, is easy to carry in the "purse" mode and has plenty of soft lining so the kids seem be comfortable in it.

I have 4-5 other multi-tools, but couldn't resist buying the Skeletool as it looks so cool. And, I haven't been disappointed as it is the favorite of my collection. One nice feature of it is that you can quickly and easily open the knife, which is the most common tool that I use. The blade can be opened one handed, which is a great feature. Like all Leatherman tools, the fit, finish and overall design are excellent. The pliers close down perfectly at the tip, which means they can almost be used as tweezers.

The screwdrivers are OK and totally functional, but a bit skinny and lightweight for something like tightening a ski binding screw, but still, they would work.

My initial impression on opening the box was that the Skeletool was smaller than I expected. This is no big deal, but for some reason photos of it make it look beefier. For reference, the knife blade is 2.5" long, which is about 3/4 the length of a credit card.

The thing I liked least about it was the add-on bottle opener/clip hook on the end. I can open bottles many other ways, don't need a secondary clip-in point (the tool already has a side clip) and it just adds length to the unit, as well as a sharpish tail end. But, Leatherman has come out with a new model, the Freestyle, which is the same thing as the Skeletool sans bottle opener. I'll probably have to get that one as well. :)

Before using the SPOT, I thought it was pretty much a lame little gimmick for people who got lost in the woods and had to call 911, but that is hardly the case. We used a SPOT unit on a two week trip to Alaska, and not only did it work flawlessly, it was fun, easy to use and when we got back home tons of people said how cool it was to be able to casually follow our progress.

The SPOT works by taking a GPS fix, then sending it up to a satellite, which in turn beams it down to a webserver, which converts your GPS waypoint into a Google Earth map so that when someone gets a message, they click on the link and it instantly opens Google Earth and shows them where you are. It seems like a lot of technology to possibly go wrong, but somehow it doesn't.

I was worried about the battery life, but afterwards found out that it is similar to an avalanche beacon - you can leave these things running for days on end, or even an entire week-long trip and the battery will still be good.

The downside of them is that the website that you have to use to set up your account is very confusing and not intuitive. They also have a SPOT Adventures website where you can share your SPOT info with the world, but that is also too complicated for a single-celled ski mountaineering brain like mine to figure out. Hopefully these will be simplified in the future.

But, overall an excellent product.

Our two year old daughter loves this pack to the point that she often demands it before going to bed at night. You'd think it would be hard to sleep with it on, but whatever works for her, works for us.

The water reservoir is tiny, which for a two year old is fine (they are pretty much novelty drinking anyway), but it might be too small for older kids.

Probably the biggest drawback of this pack is that it lacks a sternum strap, which makes it fall off too easily.

Our daughter is a budding Imelda Marcos and already have a staggering shoe collection, most of which she hates (NO!). But not these. We live in Utah and they are perfect for the hot weather, have a nice grippy sole for climbing up and down slides and are easy to get on and off. Unlike many other kids products, these sandals seem very well made and durable. As an added bonus, they seem to cover a fairly large size range, or at least comfort range.

As her main shoe, they have not caused any blisters and she can easily take them off. Overall a great product.

I reserve the 5 star rating for exceptional items, and this is one of them. There are better fun & family camping stoves, but if you are looking to melt snow and boil water for hours on end at higher elevations, the XGK is the workhorse of choice.

Like most camp stoves, the XGK can malfunction, but it is also very simple to clean and repair if you have the maintenance kit. I've found that the #1 thing that breaks is the gasket on the pump.

The big complaints on this stove are that it is noisy and doesn't simmer. To me, the noise is a small price to pay for reliability, and simmering can be controlled through pump pressure. If you want to brown pancakes, unscrew the pump from the bottle, let all the tank pressure out, then only give it a few strokes (five?) and start from there.

I use this stove as part of an entire system, of which further details can be found here:

http://straightchuter.com/2009/05/expeditions-stove-set-up/

A few years ago I discovered the magic combination of using a Prolite pad on the bottom and a foam pad on top for camping on snow and have slept warm and comfortably ever since. By themselves, inflatable pads are pretty nice, but you get cold spots (hips, shoulders, etc.) and if they leak, yer screwed. Foam pads are pretty niceas well, but they don't insulate like an inflatable. However, the combination of the two is ideal if you are going to be spending a lot of time sleeping in the snow, and for that, the Prolite is perfect.

It seems a bit counter-intuitive to use the inflatable on the bottom, but it ends up acting like a balloon and floating the foam pad off of the cold snow.

These type of tent stakes often come with a new tent, and for years I would just throw them out and use chopped off ski poles for tent anchors when camping in snow. But, now I use this type of tent stake, although instead of driving it like a nail (which you could do in soil), I girth hitch it with a length of accessory cord and bury it like a mini deadman for an anchor. These hold and incredible amout of force and after they have set up for a day or so, become one with the snowpack. For details on how to set this system up, go here:

http://straightchuter.com/2008/06/high-stakes-tent-anchors/

I like this style of anchor as it is small, lightweight and multipurpose, plus, when you are digging them out, the can take a direct hit with a shovel, no problem.

I like the versatility of this pack for ski mountaineering. I can load it up with enough stuff for a 4-5 day winter outing, yet still use it for day skiing once we get into our location. It has plenty of options (straps, axe holders, etc.) yet they are discreet so you aren't constantly fighting them when/if they aren't in use. The construction is a durability and weight - it is not the lightest pack out there, but it will take a beating.

I really like the back strap system as it allows a ton of adjustment for holding things on the side of the pack (like foam pads), yet you can also strap bigger items on the back as well. I'll often clip a sled to this pack (it has nice beefy side loops), then when I'm ready to ski down, I can strap the plastic sled to the back of the pack and enjoy the run.

This would be a good pack for hut trips, skiing in a range like the Tetons or for the occassional rock climbing outing.

I'm 100% a men's medium (5 10" - 143 pounds) and this pack seems to fit me well, although I'm not that fussy about pack fits. If it is a crushing load, any pack is going to hurt.

Negatives? Probably a bit heavier than similar size packs and I've never really liked the sliding sterum clip design, but almost all packs use this nowadays, so what can you do.

I got this helmet for ski mountaneering, but ended up loving it for just about any type of skiing. For ski mountaineering, I wanted something that was lightweight and low profile with no bills, or anything that could catch a sling or rope if it was being placed over your head. I also didn't need a full-on hardshell type of helmet as I'm not expecting to get clocked by any rocks or slam head-first into a lift tower. All that said, this is a foam based helmet, which will give you some protection, but not the full-on beefcake pantyhose protection of a hardshell helmet, which has issues of their own, namely they don't fit very well and ride too high for my personal liking, and if I don't like them, I don't wear them, which kind of makes a super safe helmet irrelevant for me.

What I wasn't expecting out of the Edge helmet is that it would be so comfortable. All heads are different, but the liner and adjustment straps/system seem to perfect suck this helmet onto my noggin.

One negative about this helmet is that they little dial adjustment dealie on the back is not very good. It seemed to stick, so I cranked it a bit harder and it came off in my hand. I was able to plug it back in, but you have to baby it a bit.

I've been using this with a VIO helmet cam and love the stability of helmet.

Having designed these baskets many years ago, I'm obviously biased, but I really like them. (And no, I don't get any royalties on them.) Where the asymmetry aspect really shines in when you are booting up a steep couloir, doing a long traversing ascent or our on a day of firm snow, like corn skiing. The asymmetry allows the tip of the pole to contact the snow first (instead of the edge of the basket), so that the pole has less tendency to "skate" when initial pressure is applied. The little teeth on the top/bottom help with grip and/or for pushing on things like heel lifters.

These baskets are much more ski mountaineering oriented rather than deep powder baskets. Powder baskets work well in powder, but in other conditions, they are just extra weight and skate like a banshee on roller blades.

For backcountry or resort skiing, the Zip T is my upper base-layer of choice. I've used them since they first came out (2000?) and have yet to wear one out. They are a nice blend of close fitting comfort and warmth, without being too clingy or hot.

The long neck zipper is a nice feature as it allows you to vent on the uphills, then zip the neck up tight once you get to a windy ridge. The fabric breathes well, disapates moisture and dries quickly. I have worn a Zip T for weeks on end during expeditions and they are still warm & comfy - even if they reek.

The only downside is that they don't have a small zipped pocket, which would be nice for a key, chapstick, etc.

Im very particular about my backcountry skiing packs as they have such a big impact on a day of skiing. If they dont fit, have straps in the wrong place, or have features that dont work, you end up dealing with it multiple times per day which adds up to an annoying experience.

But not so with the BD Covert pack. I switched to it this season (from a Switchback pack and before that an Attack Pack) and have been very happy with it for days tours. I got the smallest size (22 liters) as I dont carry much on day tours, and with a small pack, you dont really have the option! It fits a good size shovel blade (G3 AviTech) and has a nice selection of holders for your shovel handle and probe. It also allows many ski carrying options, including my favorite, strapping them to the side.

The Covert comes with all sorts of extra straps which can easily be removed by unclipping them, which I do as I like a nice clean profile for skiing through trees or just keeping the dingle-factor at bay. I tried the AvaLung version of this pack a few years ago and didnt like it as the AvaLung mechanism took up too much room in the small sized pack, which meant I had to upsize to the larger pack to carry the same amount of stuff, which meant the pack was no longer as light and trim. Your mileage may vary.

On the negative side, once you put a shovel blade in the back pocket, it compresses the inside goggle pocket to the point where it is almost uselessly hard to get into, so I carry nothing in there. The hydration tube holder doesnt really keep water from freezing, so it is a bit of a moot feature.

But overall, this is my favorite backpack for day tours around the Wasatch.

I got a pair of Marker Dukes for resort skiing and kite skiing as I wanted a binding that I could ski bumps with, use with any boot (alpine, AT, whatever) and had excellent release characteristics in all situations. I dont really plan on touring with them as they are quite a bit heavier than Dynafits, but I like the idea that if I had to tour, I could. For instance if I skied out of bounds at a resort and had to do a short tour back, or if the wind died while kiting and I had to get back to the car the Dukes would be WAY better than walking.

For kiting and resort skiing, being able to step into the binding is a big plus and the Marker Duke does that very well. It also has excellent return-to-center abilities, which is nice for chattery conditions.

They are fairly easy to do a home-mount with, although the instructions are geared more for a shop mount and require some reading between the lines.

The swap-over method from skiing to touring is a bit janky (have to remove your ski), but not that big a deal, especially considering the beef of the binding.

I carry a Mountain Hardwear Hooded Compressor jacket with me at all times while day ski touring in the Wasatch backcountry. It usually stays tucked into a stuff sack at the bottom of my pack, but when I do bust it out, it provides heavenly warmth. I think of this jacket as insurance I may not use it all the time, but when I do, I love it. I prefer the synthetic fill over down for just this reason you never know if you might have to use it in the rain, and down doesnt do well when it get wet, but the Compressor does. Another advantage of the synthetic fill is that if you accidentally rip the outer fabric, you dont dump feathers all over the mountains and lose your warmth.

I am a mens “medium in jacket size, but I have a large in the Compressor jacket as I wear it over the top of my shell, etc.. I could put it on under a shell, but this would mean stripping the shell off, putting the Compressor on, then putting the shell back on over it, which means you are going to get even colder. The beauty of a larger jacket is that you can quickly put it on top of everything and conserve warmth.

The Compressor has nice big pockets and an ample hood, which can be cinched down. For me, this is definitely a layering jacket as it is a bit thin and baggy on its own.

I've been using the BD Carbon Fiber Flicklock poles and variations of them (Whippets) for years and have never had a problem. They are a nice balance of weight and function and I like the simple, yet comfy grip. Like any piece of backcountry gear, they will last longer if you maintain and inspect them a few times a year, but I have never broken a lower or upper shaft or had anything malfunction on them. It helps to occasionally check the tension of the clamping mechanism, especially if you are going from a warmer climate to somewhere very cold as the clamp has less elasticity.

I've grown to totally trust the clamping mechanism to a point that I probably shouldn't! There have been a few times where I'm booting along a ridgeline and put the majority of my weight on the poles, only to realize that if the clamping mechanism should slip, the pole would collapse and I'd be sent for a header. So far this hasn't happened and it is much more likely to happen with other clamping devices.

On the negative side, snow can occasionally plug up the clamping mechanism (no big deal - knock it out), and the bulbous lump on an otherwise smooth shaft takes a bit of visual getting use to, but you get over it.

The swing weight is nice and I love the asymmetrical baskets (truth in advertising as I designed them years ago).

Overall, an excellent backcountry tool.

There is a lot to love about this shovel. Ive had one (my first and still the original one Ive owned) for five years and have used it all over the world on numerous expeditions, as well as when I was working as an avalanche forecaster. To me, it is the Golden Standard of all backcountry shovels.

Pros
- The D handle works with mittens and you can pass straps through it to securely lash it to a pack or sled (cant do that with a T grip)
- I love the flat back on the blade as it cuts nice, clean pit walls without scalloping
- The extension tubes are a very precious fit which means that it doesn’t feel all rattly and loose when you are using it.
- The blade ferrule is machine bored, which means that it has an excellent, tight fit with the handle. This is important as over time it doesnt get loose and wobbly like other shovels.
- The sidewall are deep enough to hold a good load of snow, yet not so deep that it makes it hard to fit the blade in a day backpack.
- The material is very durable and will withstand being driven through hard snow with a solid kick from a boot.
- The top of the blade is nice and square which helps when you are stomping on it with a boot as your boot doesnt deflect.

Cons? Hard to find any, but the tight fit between parts can sometimes make it a bit hard to extend the shaft or engage it into the blade, but this is a small issue. Oh, and the name (AviTech) is kind of lame for such a great product.

Perhaps one of the best things about this shovel is that it is so reliable. If I have to dig a friend out of an avalanche, I want a 100% shovel and the G3 AviTech is it.

I wear a pair of MHW Vertical pants over some MHW Synchro softshell pants for 99% of my backcountry skiing. Both pants have full side zips, which means you can vent them all the way down to bare skin without stopping, or mix and match for perfect tempature control.

At first the Vertical fabric (ProShell) doesn't seem burly enough to withstand hard useage, but after a year and a half, mine are still going strong.

I'm very particular about my hats - they have to be warm, but not too warm, stylie without steeze, cover my ears without covering my eyes, stay on my head without being too tight, work with sunglasses & goggles, not itch and fit in a pocket when I'm not wearing them. The BC.com Lukla does all of that, which is why it is my current hat of choice.

As the product description says, you can do almost anything with a Joker rope from climbing big walls to sport climbing, to using it as a glacier rope. I like'm.

I got my first fairshare mug as a door prize and now have a few of them as they work so well. I like how the lid screws on tightly (can carry stuff securely in it) and how much it holds. I wrapped mine in foam to insulate it.

I got this as gift many years ago and never expected to love it as much as I do. It has a very simple, clean design which makes it easy to wipe off. The titanium has held up far better than any plastic ever would and of course, it is lightweight. I tied a small lanyard on mine so I can clip it off to a mug or out of the way in a cook tent.

High beam, low beam, durable, great price.

Works well for any and all things ski mountaineering related.

I love the Syncros for backcountry skiing. They can be unzipped for venting, worn alone, worn under shell pants, or worn around town after a great day of turns. A classic Mountain Hardwear piece!

Leather palms, trigger finger liners, durable, yet simple. Love it.

Trim and well thought out. Has everything you need in a day pack and nothing else.

Along with beacons, shovels and probes, a Suunto X6 wrist computer is an essential piece of backcountry equipment. I use mine every time I go out to track vertical and it often inspires me to take one more run just to round up my total to the next highest number. Suunto watches have a vast array of options, yet a simple menu layout which makes them easy to use. They are also incredibly durable and reliable, which is nice when they get dropped, sat on or accidentally abused.

Whippet uppers with carbon fiber lowers (made possible by using these adaptors) make for a nice, lightweight self arrest ski pole.

I've been skiing with Whippets since they first came out - actually, even before they came out as I designed them for BD many years ago (no, I don't get commissions or royalties on them!). I love using them because they are always there and you never know when you are going to have a small slip which could turn into a big slide. With Whippets, you can instantly plug them into the snow to stop a fall, or at least get your feet back underneath you. I use them as a pair - one in each hand. Another nice aspect of Whippets, especially for ski mountaineering is that they work well for ascending - I'm constantly using them in 4wd mode when booting up a chute and they greatly enhance your traction.

I Scarpa boot in general, and love the F3 in particular. For almost everything but the steepest of slopes, the F3 has ample control and can drive a mid-phat ski (95mm waist) in most conditions. The beauty of the F3 is that it is so light, reliable and tours so well that you can get many extra thousand feet of climbing (and thus, skiing) in per day. The bellows make it easy to walk in, the fit is legendary Scarpa (super-plush) and when combined with a Dynafit binding you can fly up hill.

Starting with the Scarpa Lazer, the Matrix continues Scarpa's line of perfectly balanced touring boots. I like this boot as it tours well, skis well, climbs well, is warm, comfortable, durable, a nice balance of weight vs performance and superb all-around boot.

You can't go wrong with any of the Dynafit bindings and the TLT Vertical is the latest and greatest. A cool aspect of the Dynafit bindings is that they are all share the same basic mechanism, but have differing degrees of creature comforts. In the case of the TLT Vertical, they have a greater range of adjustment, an easy to pull front tab, a nice heel lifter and are set up for integration with brakes. In true Dynafit fashion, they have done this without adding much weight and at the same time keeping the binding simple.

I got my first set of Dynafit bindings for racing and never expected to fall so completely in love with them! Like switching from old-style strap-in pedals on a bike to clipless pedals, your initial reaction is "Whoa! These things are ackward and fiddly!" but a week later, once you figure them out, you will never go back as they have so many advantages.

The TLT is the classic Dynafit binding and has been in the line for many years. They are the epitome of simplicity, and, much to peoples surprise, durability. I use to take an entire tool kit and many spare parts of other bindings on expeditions, but after six or more extended trips with Dynafits, all I take is a spare toe piece for the entire group (assuming everyone is on Dynafits, as they should be!). Even then, I've never had one break. As one of the bigger testiments to their burliness, a friend once hung unside down over a yawning crevasse for half an hour by his Dynafit toepiece - something no other binding could have done. As far as high release settings, another thing I love about Dynafits is that you can ski with the toe racheted up if you want to lock out the release, which is a nice feature for steep, committing terrain where you absolutely don't want your ski to come off. With other bindings, if you want this extra security you have to ski with it set on a high DIN all the time, which is not so great for general cruising.

The TLT's forte is minimum weight and maximum tourability. It doesn't have the adjustment range of the Vertical or Comfort and shouldn't be used with brakes as it wears the bearing out.

Within two years of using my first Dynafit binding, I had sold off or given away all other bindings and switched over to Dynafits exclusively. Not only that, but so has my wife and our ski locker looks like a Dynafit show room! About half of our Dynafits are Comforts as they have a good range of adjustment and are intended to be used with brakes. I like brakes for everyday skiing, but tend to go with removeable leashes (and thus the TLT Classic binding) for expeditions.

The biggest disadvantage of a phat ski for the backcountry is that they tend to be heavier. The heavier the set-up, the slower you go uphill, and thus the less skiing you get in for a day. Enter the K2 Mt. Baker Superlight - a fat ski which has been put on a weight diet. The MBSL is a blast to ski and floats through powder, chops up crud and eats up anything you can throw at it. I'm 5'10" and 145 lbs, so I like them in a slightly short size for the backcountry (167cm). I've used longer ones (174cm) as hybrid resort/BC ski and been happy with their stability on high speed groomers.

If you are looking for a ski Quiver of One, the Shuksan is an excellent choice. It works on steep, icy couloirs, powder, groomers, bumps, backcountry... whatever. Not only that, but it is incredibly durable and will last for years. There are lots of backcountry skis available nowadays, but few of them have reached the "Classic" status of the Shuksan due to its all around perfect geometry and blend of performance.

I've used Barryvox, Ortovox, Pieps and Tracker beacons over the last 15 years and liked them all without developing an attachment to any particular brand. Last year I had an opportunity to review the top six brands of beacons for Skiing Magazine under the assumption that they would be tested as a "normal" user uses them, ie; take them out of the package, turn them on and use them with little to no reading of the manual. Fortunately, I was in the market for a new beacon, so I had a personal interest in the results. I tested range, speed of a single search, ease of a multiple search, ease of use and how the harness fit. I didn't know what to expect, but I definitely didn't aniticipate the Pieps DSP to be such a clear winner in almost every category! It had by far and away the longest range (70 meters) and somehow eliminated the flux line arc which takes the searcher on a tangent before honing in on the victim. Instead, it was a direct bee-line to the victim. Single searches were no problem (as they are on most modern digital beacons) and the multiple search was very intuitive and accurate. I use a custom beacon harness, so I don't have any comment on the fit of the Pieps harness. Of the two Pieps models, I chose this one as it is the most basic - I want simplicity and durability out of a beacon and get temps and altitude from my watch.

Probes are not the place to cut corners and try to save weight - they need to be simple, quick to set up and reliable. I like this probe as it can survive a good, hard pounding without breaking. Other probes I've tested in hard snow (like automated beacon test sites) have bowed, bent and/or had the tensioning mechanism come loose. Not this one.

I originally thought this jacket might be too froo-froo for me, but after trying it on and wearing it for a few days, it has migrated to the front & center. It is a nice balance of warmth, comfort and weight, plus it works well on its own or as a layer.

This jacket holds its own amongst the Sundance Film Festival crowd! Sleek, stylish, warm, comfortable and legendary Mountain Hardwear quality.

The Beryillium is intended to be more of a climbing jacket, but I love it for backcountry skiing as it has perfect pockets, a nice set of features (without having too many) and the material is excellent. It has a nice loose fit which works well for hiking and helps make it breathable. I was skeptical at first about the lightweight fabric (Pro Shell), but am now sold on it - it breathes well and is durable. The hood is also very well designed and can be used with a helmet or folded back for use with a regular hat.

The Apache Recon was my first new pair of Alpine skis in about ten years (I mainly backcountry ski) and I couldn't believe how fast & furious they are. I felt like I should have a license or something to be eligible to use them. They slice through bumps, blast through the crud and annihilate any irregularities which get in the way. Laying down big phat arcs on the groomers is a blast as well. An excellent all around high performance ski.