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.
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.
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 Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound - Adding Load Lifting Straps Without Any Sewing
Not too long ago, I was asked about how I might be able to add load lifting straps to The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound Ultralight backpack. The full video provides a walkthrough of how I did that.
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.
Avalanche Risk! New Study on Heated Gloves Will Change Your Avalanche Safety Plans
Skiers, Climbers, and Snowmobilers all concern themselves with avalanche dangers and, therefore, avalanche rescue procedures. Well, a recent study has suggested that heated gloves, other heated clothing, and maybe all electronic devices need to be turned off and managed in the event of needing to conduct an avalanche search with beacons.
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.
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.
Preview to Footwork for Efficiency & Safety on the Climbing Approach and on the Hiking Trail
Whether you are a climber on the approach to the climb or a hiker who is putting in miles on the trail, we want to be conscious about conserving energy and avoiding stumbles and falls. The full video provides a basic understanding of a few rock climbing footwork fundamentals that can help keep us efficient and safe, which will matter a great deal after 10 thousand, 100 thousand, or even 1 million steps.
Preview to Between Pitching and Free Solo Climbing, Part IV: Short-Pitching (Copy)
Downclimbing is an important skill for anyone who climbs outdoors. It is downright necessary for those who "scramble" on ridges or other terrain that typically doesn't use ropes. There are times where it feels self-evident to face in towards the rock, and there are times where is feels very comfortable to face away from the rock. But what about those times when it isn't obvious? The full video goes into how I think about deciding to face in or away.
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 Sequencing Efficient and Safe Breaks in Harsh Mountaineering Conditions
Alpine climbing and mountaineering often happens in harsh conditions. When dealing with extreme cold, being able to do the right things in the right order when taking a rest can mean the difference between gaining strength and resolve or losing them. Last week, we did a video on packing our packs and stuffing our pockets with an eye towards efficient rest stops. In the full video, we go through a typical sequence of steps when at the rest stop, itself.
Preview to Packing Your Winter Alpine Climbing Pack and Pockets: Set Up Efficient Rests
When alpine climbing on a cold and slippery winter summit, being safe with your body temperature and with your gear when taking a rest stop comes down to quality management of all of those things. But quality management of those things begins with having the right stuff accessible in your pack and in your pockets. The full video goes over how to pack for efficient rest stops. Our next video will go into the sequence we often use during those rest stops to ensure we stay warm, safe, and don't lose any gear.
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.
Winter Climbing, Hiking, and Camping: Chemical Toe Warmers for Your Hands?
I carry chemical warmers in my first aid kit for cold weather climbing, hiking, and camping excursions. But I only buy the toe warmers, not the hand warmers. Here's why.
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.
An Invaluable but Often Overlooked Safety Feature You Need on Your Alpine Climbing Harness
Climbing in the alpine sometimes means putting on your harness in strange or even less secure stances. So, I always look for this feature in every alpine harness I am going to use. It makes the act of putting my harness on safer despite any awkward position I might be in.