Beautiful design. Best backcountry boarding pack I've owned. On those days when you need it, everything goes in: rescue kit, rope, first aid kit, poles, crampons, snowshoes, probes, shovel, spare layers and lunch. All comfortably stowed yet immediately accessible through the back panel. Can't emphasize enough just how useful the back entry panel is - so much better than groping through a porthole at the top of a bottomless sack! For the hike out from the bottom, the board is attached quickly and easily, and it sits nice and stable. When you're not out at the extremes, it compresses flat and light. I have smaller day packs (good ones) but it's rare that the Poacher doesn't make more sense. Even has a bottle net on the side, integrated hydration and a removable frame. Genius.

I'm on my second Crown and third season of big-mountain dedication to the beautiful Palmer powder partner. I'd have given it five stars above were it not for a recent discovery that renders the Crown obsolete. Oh, and because any board without steel all the way around is clearly one idiot short of a village. The Crown is great in the park, carving the piste and most certainly when out deep and steep. It's forgiving yet responsive. It really connects. However... only buy a Crown if you get an amazing deal (like here) and you can't get your hands on a Bataleon Undisputed (also, for now, like here). The Undisputed is on a whole new level of big mountain joy delivery. If you want a long, fast, floaty all-mountain, composite extension of your mind - you need look no further than the white god that is the Undisputed. Not as pretty as the Palmer, but that's where the shortcomings end.

Best mountain jacket I've ever owned. How did evolution of a non central zip take so long? It fits perfectly. Everything about the jacket lets you know just how much thought and design went into the making of it. I've one that's now into its third season of backcountry schlepping and big mountain descents. Despite stuffing, scuffing, boozing and the occasional rag doll downhill it still looks like new.