Hiking Lower Calf Creek Falls is almost a right of passage in Utah. Anyone can do it, so if you haven’t been to the falls or have skipped it on past trips to the Escalante area, now’s the time! A short but tough hike through an amazing riparian canyon leads to an impressive year-round waterfall….
Author: Ryan Malavolta
Explore Peek-A-Boo, Spooky, and Brimstone Gulch Slot Canyons
When it comes to great canyoneering, we sure are spoiled here in Utah. The Colorado Plateau holds virtually a lifetime of canyons waiting to be explored, and slot canyons here are plentiful. Peek-A-Boo, Spooky, and Brimstone Gulch are three of the best little cracks in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. If you are looking…
Hiking to Desolation Lake
The Wasatch Mountains are chock full of amazing trails, many of which are very steep and challenging. If you are looking for a more leisurely hike, or perhaps something the entire family can enjoy, then hiking to Desolation Lake might be the perfect idea. The trail is mellow, shaded in many places, and ends at…
MSR Surelock UL-2 Trekking Pole review
Trekking poles are a life saver, or more appropriately, a knee-saver. They also come in handy when crossing streams, negotiating tricky talus slopes and slogging through snowfields. The two biggest “must-haves” for any trekking pole are light weight and sturdy construction. The MSR Surelock UL-2 Trekking Poles are designed with those concepts in mind. I’ve…
Test Your Limits at the Grand to Grand Ultra
Running a marathon is no easy feat. Now multiply that by 6 and you’ve got the distance of the Grand to Grand Ultra, the first and only self supported stage footrace in North America. If the lure of covering 160 miles in 6 stages over 7 days isn’t enough, consider the terrain that this insane…
2012 Snowboard Movies Showing in Utah
The weather outside may not reflect it, but it’s time to get stoked for winter. The best way to beat the heat? Get your sweaty butt into a nice, cool movie theater and check out one of the new 2012 snowboard flicks. Film crews and pro shreds had less than stellar conditions to work with…
Backpacking 101: Choose Your Bag
It’s a perfect day on the trail: blue skies with warm temperatures, and not a cloud in the sky. You’re hammering out the miles; only three more until you hit camp for the night. Your shoulders feel good, your feet don’t ache and your back is not a sweaty, uncomfortable mess. Everything you need is…
Achieve 02 Socks Review
Whether it’s hiking, biking, running or just walking around town, we put a beating on our feet. It’s not only about your shoes; socks are a pivotal part of foot comfort, and are far too often overlooked. Achieve 02 makes socks designed to keep your feet smiling all day. I put these socks through the…
Hiking Mount Tuscarora
Here in Utah we are living the good life: numerous top-notch ski resorts are just a short drive from northern cities and towns. When the powder flies, just point your car up a canyon and you’ll get to the goods. In the summer, the resorts are also the perfect place to bag a big peak….
Platypus SoftBottle review
No matter what your activity, staying hydrated is crucial. Water-holders are perhaps the #1 accessory for anyone playing outside, and they come in all shapes and sizes. But is your water bottle more burden than its worth? For those of you looking to cast aside your cumbersome metal and plastic bottles of old, behold the…