Sometimes backcountry skiers have to get away from the crowds, even outside the ski resorts. Head up a skin track in Little Cottonwood Canyon on a sunny Saturday, and you’ll discover why the Wasatch has earned the moniker, “Wasangeles.” Luckily, there are still less-traveled areas where good backcountry skiing can be found without elbowing the…
Author: Jared Hargrave
Hydro Flask insulated water bottle review
Although the word “flask” conjures up images of thin, sneaky metal containers filled with cheap hooch that can be concealed in an overcoat pocket for smuggling into movie theaters and rock concerts, Hydro Flask is actually a water bottle. But this is no typical bottle. The Hydro Flask is a double-wall, vacuum insulated piece of gear that will…
PORON Cushioning excites Foam Geeks
At the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake, there’s an awful lot of focus on sexy new gear, but not so much attention is paid to the very unsexy components that gear is made of. Things like foam. But you’d be hard pressed to find anyone more excited about cushioning than the self-proclaimed “Foam…
Arches National Park climbing management plan up for public comment
In 2006 one of the world’s best rock climbers, Dean Potter, visited Arches National Park and climbed to the top of Delicate Arch. His action created a controversy that rippled out through Utah’s climbing community. The National Park Service took swift action to clamp down on rock climbing rules and to rethink their policy that no climbing is allowed on named…
Utah photogs win awards in Ski Salt Lake Shootout
Two Utah photographers won awards in this year’s Ski Salt Lake Shootout. Both Lee Cohen and Steve Lloyd snagged some recognition for their photos of skiers in their element among Salt Lake’s ski resorts. According to the folks at Visit Salt Lake, local uber-photographer Lee Cohen won first place in the “Urban Meets Mountain” category…
Backcountry skiing No Name Bowl on the Park City Ridgeline
No Name Bowl, located on the Park City Ridgeline, is a lesser known backcountry ski area that tends to play second fiddle to places like South Monitor or Radar Love. There’s no reason for this, however, since this little gem is just as easy to access from Big Cottonwood Canyon, features a nice pitch, wide…
Chaco goes beyond sandals at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market
Chaco is one of the top manufacturers of outdoor sandals, and they’re banking on that success with the release of new boots and shoes. No longer is Chaco’s domain limited by the naked-toed masses. Those who love the feel of Chaco’s classic Vibram soles can now wear them whether it’s summer or winter. The Outdoor…
Utah’s Apa Sherpa to attempt 21st ascent of Mount Everest
Apa Sherpa, the world record holder for most ascents of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, will seek to break his own record by summiting the mountain (and making his wife worried) for the 21st time. Apa Sherpa is 51-years-old, lives in Draper, Utah, and is known the world over as the “Super Sherpa for…
Video: Speed Fly Fisher Towers by Marshall Miller
Utah local, Marshall Miller, is making a name for himself by posting POV videos of him “speed flying” off Utah’s iconic natural features. Last December, we featured his amazing video “Superior Speed Fly” in which Miller skis from the top of Mount Superior above Alta, and flies among the mountain’s headwalls and fins. This time…
Volkl zeroes in on lightweight backcountry skis at OR
Of all the skis I checked out at the Outdoor Retailer 2011 Winter Market, Volkl wins, hands down, for topsheet design. Their killer new skis are part of the backcountry touring line, which features a bunch of lightweight skis with hollowed-out wood cores. Of course Volkl is known for their racing, carving machines, and they’ve…