Technique

Ten tips for safe and fun ski mountaineering in the backcountry, including map reading.

I played journalist this morning and did a quick phone interview with Chris Davenport: Davenport makes a hop turn off the summit of 14,042 foot Ellingwood Peak, looking at Blanca Peak. Lou: “Okay Chris, how is the fourteener book coming?”…

Fire starting tips for backcountry survival.

It’s not an uncommon event. You’ve got ski edges that recently enjoyed the caress of your file — in fact, they resemble the edge of a Samurai sword. You take a beater, and instead of carving snow said ski edge…

If you’re in timber country, a bomber ski pole fix is easy. Here’s the method I use. Takes 10 minutes max. All blog readers out there, comments and ideas always appreciated! First, whip out that Gerber or other multi-tool and…

(Preamble: I’m skipping around the “10 Things” list as resources become available, so today is #3.) “If your friend’s out of shape you’re dead.” That’s the take at Backcountry Access (BCA) about avalanche rescue shoveling (makers of Tracker avy beacons…