My last two waterproof shells were not good long-term investments. Both were from popular and otherwise reputable brands. Both were sold as technical outdoor shells. Both cost a lot. One leaked at the seams right from the start. Not sure what the problem was exactly – the seams looked good and were taped. Darn thing leaked like a sieve in …
Sun Dog: A moving and inspiring ski film (VIDEO)
Sun Dog, a short film produced by DPS Cinematic, is easily the best short bit of adventure cinema I’ve seen in an exceptionally long time. It had me all misty eyed at the premiere and I’ve watched twice since. Now that it has been publicly released, I’m excited to share it with you! Take five minutes and enjoy! In the …
Finding strength on Lone Peak
Success is achieved by developing our strengths, not by eliminating our weaknesses. – Marilyn vos Savant Utah’s Lone Peak tops at out 11,263’ and is considered the most difficult 11,000+ peak in the Wasatch Rage due to the mileage and vertical gain. It is an imposing peak, visible from Salt Lake City to Provo. With an average grade less than …
30 facts about my life, mistakes, and triumphs
Warning: This is a personal post, if you’re not into that kind of stuff, pick one of my adventure inspired posts to read instead, I won’t be offended. “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” ― E.E. Cummings It strikes me as odd that anyone would want to interview me. Yet, I’ve given two this …
14 ski resort events delivering holiday cheer
Here is a fun piece I wrote for Liftopia.com on holiday events. ~ Enjoy! ‘Tis the season for skiing powder! Oh, and the holidays are upon us as well. I’d rather bury my head in the snow than deal with shopping and, luckily, there are some festive ski resort events taking place across the U.S. and the Canadian Rockies. …
What’s in my pack: A seriously rugged camera
I play hard, get dirty, wet, and spend full days outside in below freezing temps – usually with a camera in hand. Photography is an important part of my life, but I have no patience for a camera that slows me down or takes crappy images. I need a rugged camera that also takes killer photos. I’ve found a few …
5 Ways To Overcome Fear On The Slopes
The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. ~ Nelson Mandela Fear is no fun. And learning to ski or ride for the first time, or leveling up to new a challenge, can bring it up. It doesn’t matter that a run is an easy green; if it’s new for you, …
Gear Review: Osprey Variant 37
My old climbing pack finally retired this year; worn thin and never really all that comfortable, I might still use it for abrasive slot canyons where getting another hole in it won’t bother me. This summer I started looking around for a pack that would be good throughout the year – on ice, rock, or light mountaineering. While there are …
Podcast: Solo adventure tips and safety
After a bit of a break, I’m back up and recording on the podcast. My break is not without cause. Let me share… For the last month, I’ve been eyeballs deep in building my business, Active Explorer Media. Actually, it’s more like formalizing something I’ve been doing for years. In addition to writing, I’m expanding my social media coaching services. …
Outdoor goodie giveaway!
I’m excited to share that I’ve agreed to be a brand ambassador for Potable Aqua, and its parent company, Wisconsin Pharmaceutical. Who is Wisconsin Pharmaceutical? You may be more familiar with their Coleman branded first aid kits, bug repellants, and Sting Eze. I’m approached by many brands to do reviews or they simply want me to promote their product. I …