Henry

Last winter, I nearly broke my ankle on a supposedly “easy” trail run. The path had been clear at the trailhead, but 2 miles in, I hit a patch of black ice that sent me sliding toward a rocky gully. That was the day I learned why finding the best microspikes for trail running isn’t … Read more

I learned the hard way that ice cleats aren’t optional for winter hiking. Three years ago, I slipped on a frozen trail in Colorado and sprained my ankle badly enough to end my season early. Since then, I’ve tested over 20 different traction devices across 200+ miles of icy trails, frozen lakes, and packed snow. … Read more

After spending 23 days in the Norwegian Arctic testing expedition gear, I learned one brutal truth. Your hands will freeze first, and standard winter gloves simply will not cut it when temperatures drop below -20°F. We tested 15 different mitten models across Svalbard and Tromso during January , logging over 200 hours of field use. … Read more

Standing at the base of a frozen waterfall with wind chill hitting -30F, I learned the hard way that regular winter gloves won’t cut it for ice climbing. Your hands are your most critical tools on the ice, and when they go numb, your climb ends right there. That is why finding the best expedition … Read more

Ice climbing demands complete focus on every swing and placement, but there’s one piece of gear that works silently in the background until you need it most. I learned this the hard way last winter when a dinner plate-sized chunk of ice detached from a pillar and whistled past my ear. That moment changed how … Read more

When you are staring up at a technical alpine route with a heavy pack on your back, every single gram matters. I learned this the hard way during a 14-hour push on the Grand Teton, where my standard sport climbing harness felt like a lead weight around my waist by the end of the day. … Read more