Pow Day Decisions: Ski Solo or With a Group?

Skiers are creatures of habit. We all have our rituals. When I was sixteen years old, my ritual on any ski day, whether there was a foot of fresh or not, was to watch one of Greg Stump’s films and get my stoke on before going out and ripping all that epic eastern fluff. As …

Danger in the Backcountry – Risk vs. Stupidity

Playing in the mountains is not without risk. For those of us who spend their work and pleasure time in the backcountry, managing that risk is the key to staying safe and helping others to stay safe. Over the last few years, the numbers of folks heading into the backcountry has increased significantly and as …

Finding Your Edge

My leg won’t stop shaking. Even my belayer, ever the patient climbing partner, has started to notice. ‘Try and relax, honey, just breathe.’ Ya thanks, darling. I AM breathing, I mumble under my breath. Hyperventilating, actually. But I can’t seem to move from my position. And that leg…it just wont stop. My arms aren’t far …

Air Bags – A Review on Decision Making

I had the pleasure of trying a couple of the current offerings in air bags over the last two years and was impressed by their design. Well, at least the ones from Mammut and ABS. The BCA one was a pile of crap cause it wouldn’t open, but I digress… We’ve all seen the stats, …