The Black Diamond Covert pack 32 w/ Avalung carries well. The organization within the pack is reasonable. I was a more than a little disappointed that my Life Link snow saw did not fit inside and that there is also no practical method to carry it externally. With shovel, and probe in the smaller pocket there is room to shove a few more small items such as a head lamp in. The main compartment requires some thought to get the basics included for a long day trip; extra clothing, food, first aid kit, bivy sack and skins fit barely with a 3 liter bladder in the included pocket. I would also have liked a more substantial waist belt, but the minimalist approach works well with a harness and does not restrict movement. Overall this is a fine pack for single day BC trips. The idea of always having the Avalung along is nice, but hopefully terrain and route selection will defer its use.

I was lucky enough to have had the first generation of the Mountain Hardware Sub Zero jacket. I have worn that jacket for over 10 years. It has served me well. Through an unfortunate event the back was torn. I repaired it with duct tape, but I was still motivated to replace it. The latest version has added a vertical chest zipper and contrasting reinforcements over high wear areas on the arms and shoulders. The Sub Zero remains light, packable and warm. It does seem my original had more loft and it certainly has more soul. The current Sub Zero jacket is well worth the moderate price. Mountain Hardware remains a maker of quality and functional outer ware.

Patagonia Long Haul running shorts are light, cool and fast (well as fast as you are anyway). Well vented and cut they move moisture and flow with you, almost like running naked (almost). Excellent shorts and quick-drying too.

I wore the OVO AWOL helmet most of last season. It replaced an ageing and well worn Boeri. The AWOL is reasonably light, though has slightly more heft than an inmold design. It has superior comfort and warmth, yet in the spring by removing the vent plug it was plenty cool. For 04/05 you can also remove the ear flaps. For the price this helmet offers excellent value and protection. A fine brain bucket!

I have used many poles, ski poles and hiking/trekking specific poles but none that have the performance, value and ease of the Masters Kompressor Top. A wide range of quick adjustment stays where it is put. The antishock and ergonomic grips make for relaxed pole plants in all terrain. Every bit as good as poles priced much higher. The Masters Kompressor top are an outstanding trekking pole set.

Ascension clip fix skins, when purchased in the proper width and trimmed accurately have superior climbing traction. I have the 120mm skins trimmed to fit Rossi T4's. I have had no failures with the skins. Being as wide as they are gliding is not great, but they hold well to the ski and provide me with the climbing power I was seeking. An excellent bc product!

The flicklock traverse is an excellent choice for the bc skier on a budget, or the occasional out of bounds seeker. Easy to adjust with gloves on, the flicklock holds without slipping. If one can tolerate the hard plastic grips and dosn't need the exceptional adjustability of the expedition these are for you. A good pole at a reasonable price.

Like it's alpine bretheren, the T4 rips big lines and floats well in deep pow. Somewhat softer and rounder in flex than the B3, the T4 is an excellent choice for backcountry, big mountain lines and the resort as well. This ski just made me smile from the first turns.