Henry

If you spend any time in the backcountry during winter, you already know that avalanche safety is not optional. A solid snow saw is one of those tools you hope you never need in a rescue scenario, but absolutely cannot go without. Whether you are digging snow pits for stability testing, cutting columns for ECT … Read more

When you are heading into the backcountry, your avalanche probe is one of those pieces of gear you hope you never have to use but absolutely cannot skimp on. I have spent the past several seasons testing avalanche probes across the Cascades, the Wasatch, and the European Alps, and I have come to one firm … Read more

If you spend time in avalanche terrain, whether as a ski guide, snow safety professional, or serious backcountry traveler, having the right snow study tools can mean the difference between a safe day and a dangerous one. The best professional avalanche snow study kits give you the instruments needed to analyze snowpack conditions, identify weak … Read more

When you are standing at 14,000 feet with wind howling and clouds rolling in fast, knowing your exact elevation is not a luxury. It is survival. I have spent years climbing peaks across North America and Europe, and I have relied on altimeter watches in conditions where a phone would have died in minutes. Finding … Read more

If you have ever waxed your skis at home and felt like something was missing from the finish, you are not alone. I spent two seasons skipping the brushing step entirely, thinking my wax scraper did all the work. Then a veteran ski tech at a local shop showed me what a properly brushed base … Read more

Training through winter puts a different kind of stress on your legs. Cold temperatures constrict blood vessels, which means slower circulation, longer recovery windows, and heavier legs the day after a hard session. I learned this the hard way after a brutal January training block where my calves felt like cement for days after each … Read more

Winter training takes a toll on your legs that summer workouts simply do not match. Cold temperatures constrict blood vessels, slow down circulation, and leave your muscles tighter for longer after every session. I learned this the hard way during a particularly brutal January training block when my quads and calves felt like concrete for … Read more

When the temperature drops below freezing, heated apparel can feel like a lifesaver. But here is the catch: your heated jacket or vest is only as good as the battery powering it. After testing dozens of lithium battery packs for heated apparel over two winters, I can tell you that picking the wrong battery means … Read more

Every gram on your head matters when you are three hours into a skin track and still have 2,000 vertical feet to go. I learned this the hard way on a multi-day tour in the Wasatch, where my old resort helmet felt like a bowling ball by day two. That experience sent me down a … Read more

Finding the right pair of technical alpine soft shell pants can make or break your day on the mountain. I have spent months climbing, ski touring, and hiking through demanding alpine terrain to figure out which pants actually hold up when conditions turn rough. After testing more than a dozen options across ice climbs in … Read more