SierraDescents | Page 20
December 9, 2013
Reading the SoCal Backcountry
I know what you're thinking: it's snowing! How much has it snowed? Has it snowed enough? It is worth it to try hitting the SoCal backcountry? How do you know if it's deep (more)
December 4, 2013
Lange XT 120
Lange's XT 120 is a slightly-softer version of the XT 130. Both boots feature a walk mode switch which allows you to release the cuff for enhanced walking mobility. Like the 130, (more)
December 1, 2013
Mammoth Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Apparently I wasn't the only one who thought a little skiing might be nice this holiday weekend. Very thin coverage and only four lifts running (more)
November 24, 2013
November Snow
3-5" of fresh snow is the official word from Mt. Baldy, in the San Gabriel Mountains, but peering through the haze today from Kenneth Hahn State Park, I'd say coverage on Baldy's (more)
November 24, 2013
Scott Cosmos
There's a bit of a leap of faith involved in buying a pair of Scott Cosmos ski boots. Just a year ago, the Cosmos was made by legendary but now-defunct Garmont USA. Garmont's (more)
November 15, 2013
Thoughts on Approach
Waiting for snow to arrive has me contemplating a similar frustration: not being able to get to the snow even when it is here. Yes, I'm talking about those maddeningly-tough (more)
November 3, 2013
Blind to the Bishop
Over the years I've become increasingly fascinated with the discrepancy between Reality and my perception of it. If you've never contemplated this divide, discovering it is like (more)
October 6, 2013
Sea-Level Acclimatization Strategies
Californians overwhelmingly live at sea level, placing us at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to climbing mountains. The best and safest and most obvious way to acclimatize (more)
September 28, 2013
Backcountry Cooking: Chicken w/Broccoli
To me, the ideal backcountry meal is not only tasty but also reasonably healthy, super-easy to prepare, easy to clean up afterward, and doesn't leave you with a lot of waste that (more)
September 26, 2013
Canyon With Kids, Reprised
We made it out! I don't think I've ever been as anxious about a backpacking trip as this one, but when my brother invited me to join him on a 2-night trip with his family to (more)
September 24, 2013
Elevation
Fall at last is here, and with it we have the newest Powderwhore film, "Elevation", in which brothers Noah and Jonah Howell continue their quirky but heartfelt mission to spread (more)
September 20, 2013
Sunset at Plateau Point
From camp I looked at the sky and it didn't look too promising. My feet were sore, my back was sore. We'd already been out to Plateau Point that morning. I was happy to just (more)
September 6, 2013
The Well-Cooked Andy
First of all, I apologize. I knew writing about our record-cool first two weeks of August was just asking for trouble, and I did it anyway, and of course mere days later Los (more)
August 29, 2013
Look Pivot
Where Alpine equipment is concerned, I generally believe nearly all modern bindings are safe and effective. That said, there is still variation in performance and durability. (more)
August 19, 2013
A Very Cool August
I do like to check in on the weather now and then for the archives, and 2103 has been an unusually cool August for us here in the Los Angeles basin. I can't find any hard sources (more)