High peaks, lush basins, oodles of wildlife and breathtaking views are just a few of the joys awaiting hikers in the High Uintas Wilderness of Utah. It’s hard to pick a bad spot, in fact, it’s more of a game of which basin is the most beautiful. I’m not going to take a stab at…
Author: Ryan Malavolta
Craghoppers trail apparel review
My first experience with Craghoppers outdoor clothing was a winter gear review for their CompressLite II jacket. I was impressed, and wondered if their summer apparel would hit the mark as well. After three months of hot hiking and plenty of sweaty, dirty miles, I can report that their pants and shirts are also up…
Danner Mountain 600 EnduroWeave boot review
I sat on my bumper and laced up the boots with some misgivings. Was this a foolish decision to make in the name of gear testing? I truly do try to beat the hell out of all the gear I review, but was there any need to abuse my feet while doing it? A ten…
Hiking the Uinta Mountains: What You Need to Know
With thousands of lakes, hundreds of miles of streams, the highest peaks and some of the prettiest scenery in Utah, it’s no wonder that the Uinta Mountains are a summertime favorite. If you are new to the Beehive State, or are just beginning your Uinta adventures, here are some facts and tips that will help…
Beat the burn with summer gear from Seirus, Tifosi, and Kiss My Face
With the summer sun flying high overhead, getting toasted is an all-too-common ailment here in Utah. Salt Lake City sits at roughly 4,200’ above sea level, an altitude which boosts the harmful power of the sun’s rays. Head up into the mountains to beat the heat and the potential for a sunburn only increases. Luckily,…
Enjoy Hickman Natural Bridge in Capitol Reef National Park
There are a multitude of adventures awaiting visitors to Capitol Reef National Park in south-central Utah. Everything from slot canyons to day-long river hikes can be enjoyed. If you’re short on time, or are simply looking for a trail that’s a bit less strenuous than others, the Hickman Natural Bridge hike could be the one…
How to wash down and synthetic outdoor gear
Is your fancy down jacket looking a bit dingy? Is that sleeping bag a bit too funky for good taste? Or maybe your favorite DWR shell coat is behaving more like a sponge? It is time to clean your down or synthetic outdoor gear. For this how-to guide, we brought in the pros. Heidi Allen…
Ridgemont Outfitters Heritage Boots review
I was nervous as hell, but at least I wasn’t worried about my footwear. It was my wedding day, and my soon-to-be wife and I were standing in the White Pine parking area waiting for guests to arrive. It was only a few minutes before we walked everyone down the trail (which was covered in…
Climb Notch Peak in Utah’s West Desert
If you look west from the small town of Delta, UT, the impressive summit of Notch Peak is nearly impossible to miss. At 9,654’, Notch isn’t the tallest mountain in Utah, or even in the House Range, but this limestone monster does have some exceptional features awaiting those who come to explore it. Rising 4,450’…
Tekkima Navigator Field Coat review
I should not be able to wear this jacket right now. That’s the thought that kept going through my mind on a Thanksgiving Day hike in Mill Creek Canyon. Temperatures were perfect for the Navigator Field Coat, a lightweight jacket from Tekkima. Bad sign for winter, but good for gear reviews! Here’s a breakdown of…