Short clips
Trailers to full length videos and stand-alone quick tips; everything we make that is under 60 seconds
Preview to: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Prism Pack Review After 4 Years of Use
For nearly four years, I have been taking the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Prism pack for most of my alpine climbs, whether that be on rock, snow, or ice. After that long of throwing the pack on my back, the full video provides some of the pros and cons that I've experienced while using it.
Preview to: Enjoy Scrambling (Easy Rock Climbing) with These Types of Shoes
Ever hear climbers talk about “insecure climbing” and the fear that brings to them? Well imagine feeling insecure at every step up a rock face. This is what a scramble, which should be a fun romp, can feel like in the wrong footwear. Scrambles are examples of where approach shoes can really make a difference in our enjoyment of the outdoors. The full video gets into how their specific features combine to make such a big difference.
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.
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.
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 La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Jr Review for Trail Running, Hiking, and Scrambling
Our twin boys run, climb, scramble, hike, backpack, swim... you name it. So, it has always been an expensive proposition to get gear that is specific to each of these activities. We try to find items that can be used - and used well - across many different disciplines. We've been using the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Jr shoes for life on the trail as well as scrambling on the rocks. How well have they performed as trail runners, hikers, and approach shoes? Follow the link for the full review.
Preview to Could Socks Be Hurting Your Toes? A Case Study for Hikers, Climbers & Backpackers
I had been on an approach hike into a climb when one of my toes started hurting. I hadn't knocked my toe against anything. I hadn't been heading downhill and impacted my toe against the front of my boot. What could have been causing it? Surprisingly, it was my socks. The full video shares how it happened and what I now do to prevent it.
Proven Hack to Break In Your Rock Climbing Shoes
Rock climbing shoes may not exactly be your most comfortable footwear even after breaking them in. Before you've broken them in, they can be downright painful. Here's a trick that some high-level, professional climbers have been using to make the break in process much quicker and pain free
Preview to a Long Term Review of the Outdoor Research Kids' Helios Sun Hat: Camping, Climbing, and Summits
My twin (now) 8-year-olds beat up their gear when they are camping, hiking, and attempting summits, but we've managed to keep them in an Outdoor Research Kids' Helios sun hat for about two years. The hats are still going strong, but like any piece of gear, they aren't perfect. The full video offers a long term review of these handy, comfortable, and durable adventure hats.
Preview to the Review of the Scarpa Drago Kids' Rock Climbing Shoe
As my twin boys' rock climbing advanced, they were ready to make the jump from an entry-level shoe to a more performance-based shoe. The full video goes into what we've learned about the Scarp Drago Kids' climbing shoes after a few seasons of use.
Preview to Winter Camping is a Mountaineering Skill. My Kids On a Deeply Cold 48 Hours Out
Climbing big mountains in anything more than a day, may demand that you cold-weather camp as well as you climb. It's the key to your recovery at the end of each day. My twin eight-year-old wanted to try winter camping in truly cold weather. It got down to -6 F (-21C). The full video goes into what I was thinking about and focused on teaching them during these 48 hours out.
Preview to Lenz Heat Glove 6.0 Finger Cap Review: Any Good for Climbing, Hiking, or Camping?
Over the past two winters, I have been experimenting with battery-heated gloves as I've gone out camping, hiking, and climbing. Like all niche gear, they are good at some things and not so good at others. The full video reviews the Lenz Heat Glove 6.0 Finger Cap.
Preview to Are Battery-Heated Gloves Worth It for Backcountry Hiking, Camping, or Climbing?
When we go climbing, camping, or hiking in the backcountry during the winter, we tend to stay out longer and experience more extreme conditions. As advances in technology have improved battery-heated gloves, the full video explores if they are now able to perform well enough and long enough to make them worth having in your gear closet.
Are Your Hands Cold? The Right Liner Gloves for Your Winter Climbing, Hiking, and Camping
When we are out climbing, hiking, or camping in cold temperatures, we need to layer well. And our layers need space between them to insulate. That means our liner gloves need to strike a balance between cold protection and being thin enough to work with your outer gloves, too.
Preview of Keep Kids Hands Warm for Winter Climbing, Hiking, & Camping: Glove System
Ice climbing usually demands a lot of different gloves. Different portions of ice climbing need more dexterity and therefore less insulation. Some portions are the opposite. Some portions expose your hands to a lot of water. The full video shows how the approach ice climbers use to pick gloves to bring can help us think through how different gloves, in combination, can help us ensure our kids have warm hands on their climbing, hiking, and camping adventures in winter.
Trailer to How I Made Kids' Crampons that Fit Small Feet and are Truly Climbing-Worthy
Ice climbing. Snow couloir climbing. Even mixed climbing. My kids want to do it all, but off-the-shelf crampons can't fit on their small feet. The full video shares how I took advantage of the new trend in modular crampon manufacturing to make some crampons that I'd be willing to wear but fit on my kids and work with their limited boot options.
Trailer to Inov8 Roclite G 315 GTX Review When Used for Hiking, Backpacking, and Scrambling
Inov8 is a company with a tradition in fell running: moving over the wet mountains of the LaKe District in the UK. I've been wearing the Inov8 Roclite G 315 GTX shoes for several years, and have put them to the test on fastmoving hiking trips, fully laden backpacking trips, and even alpine climbs that demand rock scrambling. The full video provides my review of this versatile shoe.