Screaming children, flailing weekenders and hordes of Boy Scouts are what I usually associate with the trailheads just off of Mirror Lake Highway in the Uinta National Forest. Not a pretty sight. But what if I told you there was solitude and immense beauty to be found just a few miles past the cacophony of…
Author: Ryan Malavolta
Splitboarding Mount Adams, Washington
What do you do when you buy your first splitboard but the Utah backcountry riding season is over? You find an awesome partner, pack up a truck, and head to the Cascade Mountains, where backcountry touring is in full swing. That’s just what happened in early July, as my girlfriend Jess and I made a…
Sierra Designs DriCanvas Short and Pack Polo Shirt review
Trail clothing is a touchy subject with a lot of outdoors people. There are many styles: Tech Girl, who looks like she’s ready for a sci-fi adventure; Beater Man, who you may correctly assume has been sporting the same kit since the date had a “19” preceding it; The Ninja, decked out in a single…
Hi-Tec Coyote WP Shoe review
All too often, adventurous feet are beat up feet. The outdoors has a way of being pretty mean to your tootsies. Damned by nature to be bipeds, we humans are forced to seek shelter in the form of sturdy footwear. However, saving your arches can sometimes break the bank. If you are looking for a…
Sierra Designs Flash 2 Tent review
No matter where you are headed on your next backpacking trip, you’ll need some shelter. If you’re like me, then a trusty tent is the way to go. Considerations include weight, interior space, ease of setup and durability. Sierra Designs has completely revamped their lineup of packing shelters with all these things in mind. SD…
Mountain Biking Dead Horse Point State Park
Moab is known far and wide as a mecca for mountain biking, and the expansive trail systems are ever expanding. One of the most recent additions are the nine miles of new trails at Dead Horse Point State Park. Previously, riders had a few nice trail options on the east side of the park access…
Sierra Designs 60/40 Mountain Parka review
Vintage clothing never goes out of style, as evidenced by the hordes of hipsters rocking your grandpa’s favorite gear from the ‘50s. However, “vintage” is not usually a consideration when searching for a multi-functional piece of outerwear. If it’s classic style and modern performance you seek in a jacket, then Sierra Designs may have the…
Backcountry 101 Class at Brighton Resort
Shhh…come closer, I have to admit something terrible to you: I’m not a backcountry snowboarder. I know, I know…the horror! I have been in Utah for nine amazing winters, and before this season have rarely strayed from the boundaries of our fantastic resorts. Impossible, right? I assure you it is all true. However, I decided…
Vasque Breeze 2.0 GTX Hiking Boots Review
When I hear the phrase “all time best seller”, my eyebrow arches and I go into full-on dubious mode. Surely a piece of gear that every Joey and Janey Weekeneder buys can’t be worthy of my elite pursuits! Vasque is a company that makes a huge array of top-shelf footwear, and when I was lucky…
Hercules WAE Outdoor Speaker review
Sometimes you just need to rock. Sure, the peaceful sounds of nature can create a wonderful melody, but when the campfire is burning bright, I don’t mind an electric guitar riff or two. So how are you going to pump up your jams? We all know someone who’s run their car battery dead after a…