SierraDescents | Category | Gear
February 16, 2013
Dynastar Cham HM 97
Dynastar's oddly-shaped Cham 97 returns unchanged for the 2013-2014 season, in both standard (metal) and High Mountain (Paulownia) editions. The High Mountain versions of the (more)
February 14, 2013
K2 Bolt
K2 makes an unexpected but welcome return to the Thrill-Ride category with the Bolt, flagship of their 2013-2014 Precision/Piste ski series. The Bolt is in many ways similar to (more)
February 13, 2013
Nordica Fire Arrow EDT
The Fire Arrow tradition continues with Nordica's flagship Fire Arrow 84 EDT EVO, an absolute screamer of a high-level carving ski. Compared to previous Fire Arrow models, the (more)
February 12, 2013
Dynastar Chrome 78 Pro
Is the era of rockerless skis finally over? Dynastar's tip-rockered 2013-2014 Chrome 78 Pro replaces one of the very last holdouts, the thrilling Speed Course Ti. Debuting for (more)
February 9, 2013
SIA 2013: The New Skis
As usual it was a fast and furious few days at this year's SIA Snow Show in Denver. I did manage to get on an exhausting personal-best 19 pairs of skis during the Winter Park (more)
January 22, 2013
Lange XT 130
Lange officially enters the Alpine Touring market with the XT 130, a Freeride ski boot offering excellent downhill performance plus a first-ever Lange walk mode. Admittedly the (more)
January 9, 2013
Scarpa Maestrale RS
Of the ski boots I've tried, Garmont's Cosmos and Scarpa's Maestrale RS are clearly the two ski mountaineering standouts for 2013. The Maestrale RS is an updated, Polyamide (more)
December 14, 2012
The Ghost Whisperer
Think of Mountain Hardwear's 6.7-ounce Ghost Whisperer as a high-end heat infusion. If you want the best possible warmth-to-weight ratio in an ultralight top, this is it. The (more)
November 24, 2012
Nikon D800
Perhaps the best way to introduce Nikon's full-frame D800 DSLR is to note that it is not at all the camera Nikon enthusiasts were expecting. In hindsight, there is a certain (more)
November 19, 2012
The Cosmos Conundrum (Updated)
Okay, deep breath. First of all, kudos to Lou for breaking this story. Go read what he has to say, and then come back for my thoughts. Good? Good. And now, for my take: sh*t! (more)
October 20, 2012
Nikon D800 vs. Sony RX100
Once again I am updating my Sony RX100 review page. Here's an amazing admission: I bought a Nikon D800 specifically to shoot video on my then-upcoming Rim to Rim hike in the (more)
October 13, 2012
Osprey Talon 11
Osprey's Talon 11 gets three key daypack requirements exactly right. It's light, it's (relatively) cool against your back, and it's structured enough to carry loads well. On that (more)
September 28, 2012
Blizzard Kabookie
Blizzard's Kabookie ski was one of two new Alpine Touring standouts I found at the 2012 SIA show—the other being Garmont's Cosmos boot. Like the Cosmos, the big news with (more)
September 26, 2012
Nikon D600 Video: No Free Lunch
The D600 is arguably the very first affordable full-frame Nikon DSLR, and for many still photographers, it will be nothing less than a dream come true. We Nikon faithful long ago (more)
September 19, 2012
Garmont Cosmos
Garmont's new Cosmos delivers a perhaps unprecedented combination of skiing and touring performance, at a marvelously low weight. I'll admit it: where Alpine Touring ski boots (more)