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Ross Solomon

Camper/Hiker // Backpacker // Snowboarder

Ross Solomon

  • Backcountry.com Employee Backcountry.com Employee

35 Reviews:

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1 Answers:

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7 Photos:

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5 Comments:

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  • Stomping Grounds:

    Southern Utah deserts, Oregon Cascades, Uintas

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End of Westwater, 107 degrees

End of Westwater, 107 degrees

GoPro HD Helmet HERO

July 14, 2011

Take-out at the end of Westwater Canyon. HOT day, fast water (32500 cfs, July 4, 2011)

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Fits in small places

Fits in small places

Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 Tent 1-Person 3-Season

July 11, 2011

One of the only places I could find that was both flat and snow free. Northern Nevada, July 9, 2011.

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Whole setup on a mazdaspeed6

Whole setup on a mazdaspeed6

Yakima Q Clips - 1 Pair

March 11, 2011

These are the correct clips for the Mazdaspeed6, even though they are not listed on the setup guide.

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The whole setup

The whole setup

Yakima FatCat 6 w/Locks

March 11, 2011

Posted this over on the fairings page, but figure it's relevant here too. Everything works great, low noise, and it all looks purrty nice.

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Fairing

Fairing

Yakima Fairings

March 11, 2011

Here's the whole setup on my MS6. Looks great and holds plenty of planks. Couldn't ask for a better rack

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Pioneer peak

Pioneer peak

Never Summer Heritage-R Snowboard

September 17, 2010

Hiking Pioneer Peek, UT with my trusty Neversummer

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Comfortable from the get-go

Patagonia Footwear Drifter A/C Hiking Shoe - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 October 3, 2011

I've been using Vasque for years, thinking that their fit was the best for my (narrow) feet. Sadly, on hikes longer than 5 miles I would always get sore spots which would eventually turn into blisters as the day went on. That, along with the occasional black toe nail, led me to believe that maybe those Vasques were not the ideal shoe for me. I bought these due to the generally rave reviews I had been reading, and after several summits I can safely say that all of those reviews were absolutely correct. These boots have absolutely NO break-in period. I did two 4000 foot ascents in 2 weeks and my feet felt relatively unfazed. Additionally, the grip is nothing short of spectacular. I never felt unsure of my step in these and would recommend them to anyone looking for a good, low-top boot.

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Ah, the Backcountry gift card

Backcountry.com Gift Certificate

Backcountry.com Gift Certificate

Rating for this product: 5 July 14, 2011

That warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you get the gift of outdoor goodies from your loved ones? Well, it's now available in an e-mail. Don't think I've ever met anyone who DOESN'T love getting these.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Changed the game

Western Mountaineering UltraLite Sleeping Bag: 20 Degree Down

Western Mountaineering UltraLite Sleeping Bag: 20 Degree Down

Rating for this product: 5 July 11, 2011

My old bag was a Marmot Sawtooth 15. That bag got great reviews and was warm enough I guess, but it just didn't compare to the WM UltraLite. The Marmot weighed nearly twice as much as this thing. This bag has brought my base weight down to under 8lbs, and I can absolutely notice a difference. I don't even have to use my hip belt on shorter trips, my bag is so light now.

Other than weight, another great thing about Western Mountaineering is that their temperature ratings seem to be very accurate. I had used my Marmot bag in 20 degree weather before and was uncomfortably chilly in the morning. It got to about 25 where I was this past weekend and I was still extremely toasty, leaving me no doubt that this bag will go to at least its rated temp, if not even lower without problems.

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Fits great, keeps the sun out

Backcountry.com Nebraska Softshell Hat

Backcountry.com Nebraska Softshell Hat

Rating for this product: 5 July 5, 2011

I'm really not a hat wearing kind of guy, but I bought this hat anyway as I needed something to protect my face from the sun while rafting Westwater Canyon. First of all, the function: Like any other hat, it did its job at preventing my nose from shriveling up and frying off in the 110 degree heat. Additionally, it seems that the hat is somewhat water repellent. This worked great for scooping water up out of the Colorado and pouring it over my head without hardly any loss due to soak through and drip. Deal breaker if it didn't function like this? Not at all, but it sure was a nice perk. It might even help when you're wearing it on a rainy day.

The cons? None, really. The hat looks good, which is saying something considering I generally dislike hats like this. It's a simple design, a subtle color, and functions like it should. Given the price (cheeeap), I see no reason not to pick one of these up.

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Not this time

Backcountry.com Facet T-Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

Backcountry.com Facet T-Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

Rating for this product: 1 June 20, 2011

If you like belly shirts, then buy this shirt. Unfortunately, the fabric used with this shirt is more than sub-par when it comes to the quality I'm used to from BCS. You'd have to wash this by hand every time to keep the size even close to it's original, and that's simply unacceptable for a sub-$20 shirt.

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Worth it

Yakima SKS Lock Cores - 4 pack

Yakima SKS Lock Cores - 4 pack

Rating for this product: 5 June 20, 2011

Definitely worth the expense. Believe me, $55 for some locks is quite a bit cheaper than getting 3 new snowboards stolen while you're getting a beer at a 7-11.

These are very easy to install, just slip in the 'install key' and press into place.

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Work just like they should

Yakima Q Towers - set of 4

Yakima Q Towers - set of 4

Rating for this product: 4 June 20, 2011

Used these with the Fatcat6's on my Mazdaspeed6 for several months. The whole package works as it should, but aesthetically it's somewhat unappealing compared to competitor's offerings.

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Does the job

Nixon Pass Bi-Fold ID Wallet - Men's

Nixon Pass Bi-Fold ID Wallet - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 June 20, 2011

It holds plenty of cash and cards, and is stylish to boot. My only complaint is that, by making the 'inner wallet' removable, there's an extra tab included in the whole package that adds unnecessary weight and girth to the wallet. The minimalistic wallet inside is neat, but I don't see myself using it very often outside of the entire wallet, so the added bulk just ends up being extra cruft. The material is on par with other wallets in this price range, so if you've ever used a Vans or Nixon wallet before, this will feel very similar.

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Strange pockets, cat hair magnet

Oakley Tricked Out Short - Men's

Oakley Tricked Out Short - Men's

Rating for this product: 3 June 20, 2011

These shorts fit well and have plenty of space, but some of the features have definitely left me scratching my head. For one, the main pockets have flaps that snap closed. The flap doesn't seem to be sized properly, so it folds the fabric underneath a little when closed. When open, they flop around like an appendage more apt for clown pants.

Also, while not entirely the fault of poor material or anything, these shorts are MAGNETS to pet hair. While my clothes are never completely free of cat fur, these just seem to attract it several times more than other pants, even ones by the same company.

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One of the best shirts I've owned in a while

Quiksilver Edition Hamilton Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

Quiksilver Edition Hamilton Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 June 20, 2011

For the price, this shirt is spectacular. Similar to some of the stuff you can get at H&M, but the fit is a little better and the fabric just feels higher quality. It also has a good style: I'm a fan of the brighter colors and the 'larger squares' (not sure how else to describe), and the Kayak Blue version of this shirt fits the bill nicely.

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Good socks, but no pHD's

SmartWool Hiking Light Crew Sock

SmartWool Hiking Light Crew Sock

Rating for this product: 3 June 20, 2011

These socks are comfortable enough and fit alright, but they just don't hold a candle to the SmartWool pHD's.

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Excellent and comfortable

Arbor Slate Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

Arbor Slate Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 June 20, 2011

This shirt fits incredibly well (slim/athletic, size: M) and the fabric is very comfortable. I think it looks awesome too, which makes an all-around great shirt for a good price. Pretty cool that it's made mostly out of Bamboo, too.

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awesome on the right surface

GoPro  Suction Cup Mount

GoPro Suction Cup Mount

Rating for this product: 4 April 14, 2011

Works great when on a perfectly flat, non-porous surface. Will not stick on surfaces such as a dash board, as it is both curved and has a strange texture. Make sure you test it real well before you go fast!

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A hat that provides warmth

Spacecraft Igloo Beanie

Spacecraft Igloo Beanie

Rating for this product: 5 December 10, 2010

A haiku:

Warmth is hot choco
It is cozy and fuzziness
Spacecraft igloo hat

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Fits fine, looks great

Stoic Luft Insulated Sweater - Men's

Stoic Luft Insulated Sweater - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 December 10, 2010

I've got a pretty slim build and this jacket fits just fine. It does run a little wider than, for example, the Stoic eVent, but it still fits fine.

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Stellar

New Balance 101 Trail Run Shoe - Men's

New Balance 101 Trail Run Shoe - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 December 10, 2010

Great shoes, comfortable too. I don't (or haven't yet) use them for trail running, but they're more than great and stylish for every day use.

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great fleece

The North Face Khumbu Fleece Jacket - Men's

The North Face Khumbu Fleece Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 November 25, 2010

I haven't personally worn this fleece, but I bought it for my brother and he loves it. Keeps him warm in the Chicago winters, but isn't too bulky for spring and fall.

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Perfect stove for the price

Coleman PerfectFlow InstaStart 2-Burner Stove

Coleman PerfectFlow InstaStart 2-Burner Stove

Rating for this product: 5 November 25, 2010

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this stove. It cooks great, doesn't use a lot of fuel, doesn't require pumping, and packs relatively small. Has helped make some amazing car-camping meals for me

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Comfortable and stylish

Oakley Dyno-Mite Update Short - Men's

Oakley Dyno-Mite Update Short - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 September 17, 2010

Love these shorts. Fit perfectly (not too long, not too short, etc), high quality, and look great. Only complaint is that the button fell off within a two weeks of average use, but that's an easy fix.

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Ick

Kasper & Richter My Fitty Pedometer

Kasper & Richter My Fitty Pedometer

Rating for this product: 1 June 17, 2010

Packaging is only in a foreign language, and the supplied battery was dead on arrival. The whole thing feels very cheap and doesn't work very well at all.

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Very functional, not the best style

Patagonia Footwear Boaris Shoe - Men's

Patagonia Footwear Boaris Shoe - Men's

Rating for this product: 3 June 17, 2010

These shoes have excellent grip and are very comfortable, but they look too "skate-shoe" for me. Would be better if they were a bit slimmer instead of that fat, overpadded look.

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Definitely light socks

SmartWool PhD Light Snowboard Sock

SmartWool PhD Light Snowboard Sock

Rating for this product: 3 June 17, 2010

These things aren't warm enough for anything besides Spring riding. And since they're so light, my foot tends to slide a bit now compared to more padded socks.

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Not for the colder weather

SmartWool PhD Medium Snowboard Sock

SmartWool PhD Medium Snowboard Sock

Rating for this product: 3 June 17, 2010

Very comfortable socks, but are not nearly as warm as a pair of super-thick Burton socks I bought a while back. Toes definitely got cold with these guys in about 7F weather. I don't think these work very well with anything below 20F.

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Durable and comfortable

Patagonia Borderless Trek Zip-Off Pant - Men's

Patagonia Borderless Trek Zip-Off Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 June 17, 2010

The stretchiness of these pants really made them more comfortable than other trekking pants I've owned in the past. They're just the right length for zipping off the legs, and will endure a fair amount of abuse. They also don't hold an odor too well, so you can use them for extended trips without offending passerbys. Visually, they're a bit tight in the crotch area, but this doesn't result in any discomfort or constriction.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Sold Out

Too cool for me

The North Face Crank It Up Full-Zip Hooded Sweatshirt - Men's

The North Face Crank It Up Full-Zip Hooded Sweatshirt - Men's

Rating for this product: 3 June 17, 2010

The M fits like a large. I bought the Tae Grey and felt like it made me look like a tool, but maybe I'm just not cool enough for the look.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Great towel for travel

MSR Packtowl UltraLite

MSR Packtowl UltraLite

Rating for this product: 5 June 17, 2010

I bought the largest size (XL) and was blown away with how large the unpacked size is. When folded, its smaller than a bundled up t-shirt and weighs next to nothing. Absorbs plenty of water to make you completely dry after a good shower. Just make sure you dry it out, it's no more or less immune to mildew than any other fabric out there.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Stanky

Eagle Creek Undercover Deluxe Security Belt

Eagle Creek Undercover Deluxe Security Belt

Rating for this product: 3 June 17, 2010

I wasn't very impressed with the design: The belt has no wire through it and can be cut from behind easily. It twists incredibly easily and is hard to straighten out. It loosens on its own and must be tied down, which means you either have to untie a complicated knot every time you remove this thing, or just lift it over your head. There are no covers for the zippers. After a week or so, it absorbs a very uncomfortable amount of stink.

Complaints aside, I used this throughout China for 32 days. From trains to crowded hostels and guesthouses, it kept my RMB and passport safe and sound.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Great for ultralight

Big Agnes Seedhouse SL Series Tent Footprint

Big Agnes Seedhouse SL Series Tent Footprint

Rating for this product: 4 August 22, 2009

This thing does an awesome job protecting your sweet tent from sharp crap on the ground. It also can be used with the rainfly and poles to create the greatest UL experience ever.

The problem? The price. Fifty dollars for a piece of cloth, are you kidding me?

My recommendation? Buy a piece of Tyvek, cut it to size, and use that as a groundcloth instead.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Like everyone else said

Laken Flask Kukuxumusu Stainless Steel Flask

Laken Flask Kukuxumusu Stainless Steel Flask

Rating for this product: 4 August 22, 2009

Awesome for taking swigs of Sailor Jerry's while flyfishing deep in the Uintas. Not awesome for filling, as it does not come with any sort of funnel.

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Omfg

SmartWool PhD Outdoor Light Crew Sock

SmartWool PhD Outdoor Light Crew Sock

Rating for this product: 5 August 22, 2009

When I go backpacking with friends, I actually brag about how f-ing awesome these socks are. Seriously, everytime I put em on I am blown away by how perfectly they fit. They're also light, warm, durable, and beautiful. Yes, beautiful.

Helpful Votes: 4 Yes

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This cup deserves a medal

Snow Peak Titanium Single Wall Cup 600

Snow Peak Titanium Single Wall Cup 600

Rating for this product: 5 August 22, 2009

It's that good. Sturdy (enough), retains heat nicely, can be used directly on your little stove, and really really light. Buy now!

Helpful Votes: 3 Yes

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Works great, light as a feather

Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 Tent 1-Person 3-Season

Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 Tent 1-Person 3-Season

Rating for this product: 5 August 22, 2009

I went from the Mountain Hardware Meridian 1 to this tent. This tent is not only roomier, but probably half the weight as well. So far, I've used it in the Wind Rivers, Wasatch and the Uintas. No rain either time, but it keeps the bugs out nicely, ventilates fine even with the fly, and really weighs next to nothing.

Another awesome benefit: If you buy the groundcloth, you can forego the netting part of the tent and just use the fly, poles, and groundcloth for an ultralight, rain-proof alternative. It won't keep the bugs out, but when you're flying down the trail with your awesome UL setup, who cares?

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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This bag gets the chicks

DAKINE EQ Bag - Medium - 3100cu in.

DAKINE EQ Bag - Medium - 3100cu in.

Rating for this product: 5 August 22, 2009

The day after I bought this bag, there were two huge lines at the airport:

One for security
The other to get my number. Oh yeah

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For people with big mouths

Backcountry.com Klean Kanteen Powder-Coated Bottle - 27oz

Backcountry.com Klean Kanteen Powder-Coated Bottle - 27oz

Rating for this product: 3 July 23, 2009

My main qualm with nalg's is that the mouthpiece is too damned big. This water bottle is, unfortunately, no exception. The bottle is high quality though, and the water tastes fantastic.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Lightweight, delicious

Marmot PreCip Pant - Men's

Marmot PreCip Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 April 11, 2008

The deliciousness is just a guess, I haven't had to eat them just yet. But as for the rain and wind protection? Oh yeah, its got that.

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