Short clips
Trailers to full length videos and stand-alone quick tips; everything we make that is under 60 seconds
Preview to: Build Your Own Pulk Sled to Access Winter Camps or Mountain Climbing Objectives
Winter climbing trips are often extended from one to two day affairs, or even longer. Trailhead access can be further away as only main roads remain open. And then approach hikes take longer due to difficult conditions, as well. If we need more time out in the backcountry, and now need to set camps, we may want to haul, rather than carry in all that bulky, winter gear. The full video goes step by step building a Pulk Sled that is light and efficient enough for those local trips but also robust enough for expedition rigors.
Taking Care of Our Feet During a Winter Climb, Hike, or Camp
The idea of taking off our boots and dipping our feet in water during a winter climb, hike, or camp may feel unpleasant, but it might actually be more important that we take care of our feet in winter than any other time of year.
Preview to - Backcountry Luxury: Making a Kitchen at Your Snow Camp Using a Pyramid Tent
If I'm going to be winter camping, on snow, in the same place for a while - think an expedition basecamp or a long-weekend outing - I will often make a dedicated kitchen in camp. With appropriate snow depth, a pyramid tent kitchen is my preferred version to make because it grants shelter, mobility, and better ergonomics. The full video provides more on why, and a lot more on how, I build them.
Why I Carry 3M Nexcare Skin Crack Care Glue in My Winter Climbing First Aid Kit
As a reminder, I do not have any product sponsors. If I talk about a product, it’s because I have spent my own money on it. Here’s a little item I now keep in my winter first aid kit because super glue in an open wound stings and this does not.
N95 Masks for Backcountry Smoke on Your Camp, Hike, or Climb
In certain parts of the world, wildfires are becoming a worsening problem, and the likelihood of being impacted by smoke on our camp, hike, or climb is increasing. Smoke damage to our lungs can be a serious health issue, so we've taken steps to help mitigate that by leveraging a tool that we never used to have a few years ago but which is nearly ubiquitous now.
A Three Sock Rotation for Climbing Expeditions, Backpacking Trips, and Thru Hikes
Whether on a climbing expedition, a backpacking trip, or a thru hike, when I am on an extended adventure, I like to use a three sock rotation to ensure I can handle some common eventualities. The video shares how that three sock system helps me take care of my feet.
Preview: Organizing Gear for Warmth in a Cold Camp on Climbing, Backpacking, & Camping Trips
When it comes to camping in the deep cold, staying warm is the ultimate goal. But did you know that organizing your gear in your tent can make a huge difference? The full video shares some tips on gear organization to maximize heat retention.
3 Different Camp Booties for 3 Different Winter Camps on Alpine Climbs or Backpacking Trips
With my alpine climbing, backpacking, and camping gear, I will try to make sure I am bringing the right tools for the job. In the winter, that includes bringing items to keep my feet warm while around camp. But the terrain I am on will often dictate the type of "camp booties" I decide to bring.
Preview to Choosing Between Single- and Double-Boots for Alpine Climbing and Mountaineering
Just like understanding the tradeoffs between single- and double-walled tents, it is equally important to understand the basic differences in single- and double-boots when we head up for an alpine climb or mountaineering attempt. While the differences between specific boots will be varied, there are some general differences between boots with and without removable liners that I keep in mind when selecting a boot for a climbing adventure. The full video gets into what I consider when deciding what to put on my feet.
Staying Warmer While Cold Weather Camping by Placing Our Foam On Top of Our Air Mattress
Broader surface area on the sides of our camping air mattresses make it easier to get cold air to impact the outer material of the mattress. That can impact how cold we feel while sleeping on them. Here's a simple thing we can do about it.
Preview to: Split Finger Gloves/Mittens for Hiking, Backpacking, & Mountaineering
For over a decade, I've been using the same split finger gloves (or split finger mittens) as a compromise between the warmth of a mitten and the dexterity of a glove. They aren't right for every trip, but I can use them in a surprising amount of situations. The full video gets into some of the pros and cons and how I choose when to use them.
The Importance of Drop Pockets in Your Winter Alpine Climbing, Backpacking, & Hiking Jacket
Winter alpine climbing, backpacking, and hiking is complicated by needing to keep many different items warm, such as your stove fuel, sunscreen, batteries, and the like. Having clothing layers with drop pockets can go a long way to helping you manage that gear, your water, and your food to make sure it doesn't freeze in challenging conditions.
Preview to Review of the Enlightened Equipment Accomplice 2-Person Quilt
Famed high altitude mountaineer Ed Viesturs has used two-person quilts on the highest mountains in the world. Backpackers often use quilts, now, as a matter of course. So, my family has been using the two-person Enlightened Equipment Accomplice sleeping quilt for backpacking and for alpine climbing, both to add warmth (body heat of a second person) and cut weight (less per-person weight). The full video offers a product review.
Winter Alpine Climbing, Backpacking, and Camping May Call for a Longer Sleeping Bag
Alpine climbing, backpacking, and camping in the winter requires a lot of gear. So, if we could find a way to keep all of our cold-sensitive items warm overnight, for only two ounces (60 grams) of weight, would we do it? Well, getting a sleeping bag that is one size longer than you need might be that solution.
Preview to Summer Canister Stoves: How Many Days Before Heavy, Efficient Stoves Make Sense?
If we are out on a backpacking trip or an alpine climb, we are already counting ounces. More efficient canister stoves tend to be heavier. So, how many days of fuel use need to happen before that efficiency and saved fuel pays off when compared to carrying a lighter, less efficient stove with, therefore, more fuel? We did a first test in summer conditions.
Broken Zipper Pulls Fixed With Zip Ties: A Simple Cold Weather Climbing & High Mountain Fix
Gloved hands can struggle with zippers. That's why most cold weather climbing and mountaineering jackets have zipper pulls attached. If you should have one break or go missing while on the mountain, a simple fix may be at hand in your repair kit.
Preview to: Single-Walled Vs Double-Walled Tents for Camping, Backpacking, & Climbing Trips
Camping comfortably can mean the difference between being restored every night of our camping, backpacking, or alpine climbing adventure, and reaching our goal, or slowly getting drained to the point where we have to quit. One of the first things to consider about our camp strategy is whether to take a single-walled or double-walled tent. The full video offers some of the pros and cons of each.
How to Tie the Taut Line Hitch to Tension Tent Guy Lines
While most tents come with installed guy line tensioners, so do not and these plastic pieces could break in the field. Either way, knowing how to tie a Taut Line Hitch could help keep your tent secure in demanding conditions. Here is how to tie the hitch.
Kind Camping, Backpacking, and Climbing: Use Your Headlamp's Red Light
Most modern headlamps for camping, hiking, and climbing have a red-light feature. Why's it there? Why would we use it? Well, take a look; let's all be kind to our tentmates ;)
Preview to a Review of the Deuter Climber 22L Kids' Pack: 3 Years of Backpacking & Climbing
Our boys, now age 8, have been using the Deuter Climber 22 Liter Kid's backpack for over three years. It's been the pack they take on just about every hiking, backpacking, camping, and climbing adventure. So, with that much wear and trust put into the backpack, we thought it would be worth a review. The full video shares what we dislike, like, and love about this pack.