Utah’s five National Parks garner a lot of praise, but none more than Zion. Why all the love? Simply put, this place is a wonderland. A multitude of rock formations crafted over millions of years mix with towering pine trees, trickling creeks, and deep slot canyons. It truly is a breathtaking and special place. The…
Author: Ryan Malavolta
Q Energy Drink review
I have long cast a sideways glance upon “energy drinks”. The multitude of beverages lining store shelves are generally nothing more than fruit-flavored sodas. But, as much as I loathe them, I find myself downing them at least a few times a month. I’m not talking about the stuff that comes in a can (pure…
Summit West Grandaddy Mountain in the High Uintas
Grandaddy Basin is a gorgeous area on the southern slope of Utah’s High Uintas Wilderness. There are enough streams, lakes, and trails to keep you busy for a week, but if you only have time for one hike, I highly recommend a summit of West Grandaddy Mountain. The route is not difficult, the views are…
Royal Robbins Coast Short review
The days of summer may be dwindling, but there’s still plenty of time to go jump in a mountain lake, climb into a kayak, or simply take a dip at the nearest pool. Hey, this is Utah, and much to the chagrin of snow-lovers, “swimming weather” could last until October in some places. Are you…
Slumberjack Nightfall 2 Tent teview
I was tired, cold, and in a bit of trouble when my girlfriend and I pulled into the Tropic Reservoir campground on a Friday night. Yes, mistakes were made on the journey, and I was on thin ice. I can’t imagine what might have happened if our tent was a pain in the ass to…
Explore Grandaddy Basin in the High Uintas
Purple areas on maps are often a non-starter for me. The purple indicates “high use” zones; places where you are sure to find loads of other hikers and campers. Personally, I go backpacking in part to escape from crowds, get lost in the surroundings, and enjoy some peace and quiet. It was with some trepidation…
Lander Moab phone case review
Don’t let your smartphone get too hot. Don’t let it get too cold. Don’t lose it in the dark…and for Ullr’s sake DON’T DROP IT! There are far too many rules when it comes to our precious phones, but Lander is a company that can help to bend, if not totally break, those rules. Can…
Venture Out Round Up: Mizu, Mountain Designs, and Parks Project at ORSM 2017
One of the reasons it is such a shame to see Utah lose the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market is because the trade show is big, and getting bigger. Every year, dozens of new companies join the fray. This year, an entire new pavilion was needed to accommodate some up and coming brands. I was able…
UCO lights it up at ORSM 2017
One of my favorite parts of attending Outdoor Retailer shows is discovering new companies that make cool gear. This year my favorite discovery was UCO, who have made it their mission to light up your camp, keep you warm, and help you cook in true minimalist style. Anyone who camps or backpacks needs a good…
Sierra Designs unveils major changes for 2018 gear at Outdoor Retailer
You can always count on seeing the newest innovations and some serious brand overhauls at Outdoor Retailer, but no booth that I visited this year could boast more than Sierra Designs. The company is still dedicated to producing high quality adventure gear, but in 2018, they will be presenting consumers with all brand new tent…