Now that I have a few uses under my feet I can safely say I am ready to talk about the Grivel G14 New-Matic Crampons. When I first started researching a new pair of crampons, there were a couple things I knew I needed them to do: Multi-Purpose: General Mountaineering and Ice Climbing Replaceable frontpoints
For me, good footwear is critical, it takes a lot to make my feet happy. I have had my fair share of foot and ankle injuries, so getting my footwear right is key to a happy experience outdoors. When it comes to footwear for mountaineering and ice climbing there are lots of choices and lots
If you ask me to climb a mountain the day before your birthday so we can camp on the summit to watch the sunrise on your birthday, as has been your tradition for a number of decades, I'm inclined to say, “Yes”. If you're cute and female, I'm legally barred from saying, “No”. And that
Stressed out on Devils Tower Recently, while battling a bout with illness I had an epiphany. I was laying in bed, my head was completely blocked up. Suddenly I felt as if I was suffocating and claustrophobia kicked into high gear. My instinct told me to jump out of bed, flick on the light switch and
While some people seem to have the whole “food on the trail” thing down to a science, I’m probably with the majority of people who find food preparation one of the more stressful parts of planning for a backpacking or hiking journey. Getting out the stove, preparing a little meal, and cleaning everything
I sat down on a rock, stuffed my feet into my new pair of boots and stepped into my crampons. As soon as I stood up excitement filled me, After all, this would be my first time ice climbing. Brian handed me the rope and a pair of leashless tool, I tied into
I step off of my porch, my forefoot contacts the concrete toes first. My heel barely touch the surface before my other foot repeats this process. I feel the texture of the ground as it changes beneath my feet, but I am not worried about injury. I am wearing a second layer of
Climbing is a way of life, there is something unexplainable about how it calls to us, draws us out of the doldrums of everyday life and into the wild. There is a film in production that follows the history of this fine lifestyle. The Last Wild Mountain goes deep into the roots of American climbing
A stand of Joshua Trees in Joshua Tree National Park "Land Of The Joshua Trees" Photo by Patrick Gensel Taken in Joshua Tree National Park on November 11th 2010 Photographed using a Canon Rebel XS
From backpacking stretches of the Appalachian Trail to multi-day climbing trips in Joshua Tree National Park I have spent some time playing outdoors and have found out what works and what doesn't when it comes to gear. Packing the appropriate items is especially important when spending multiple days in the backcountry. Whether your