In April of 1970, the entire world watched anxiously as the lives of three astronauts hung in the balance. The Apollo 13 mission, part of NASA’s ongoing human space flight program, had gone desperately wrong after an explosion mid-way through the lunar journey. Now, the crew had abandoned their mission in an attempt to save their lives.

Unlucky 13 

“It was plagued by bad omens and bad luck from the very beginning,” Jim Lovell, one of the Apollo 13 astronauts, says in this short documentary.

Gene Kranz, one of the flight directors, shares a similar sentiment. “It never really converged to the point where you felt you really had total control of what was going on.”

Within days of launch, the goal had changed. It was no longer about landing on the moon. The best they could hope for was to get Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert home alive.

But further challenges plagued their journey home. The crew had to spend hours relearning how to control the craft, as the indicators they’d been trained to use had been turned off. They had to rely only on a computer display.

“I had never tried that before, and I really don’t know who had,” Jim Lovell explained in the documentary's archival footage. This was not the only maneuver they had to learn on the fly.

“We really threw away the book,” Jack Swigert said. The crew had been required to power down a command module while in space and then later reactivate it. Neither had ever been done before.

Damp, frozen, and filled With CO2 

While the documentary tackles the complex science behind the mission, it also showcases human challenges and discomforts.

With all nonessential systems shut off to conserve power, the inside of the ship became extremely cold. As they approached re-entry, the command module was only a few degrees above freezing. One of the potable water lines was completely frozen.

Fred Haise also remembers the pervasive dampness inside both the lunar and command modules, with the water separators no longer working.

“In the command module, we actually had to get towels out to wipe off the instrument panel, to see the instruments,” he said.

In addition to the freezing cold and the dampness, they had to contend with rising CO2 levels. While they had plenty of oxygen, their own respiration was rapidly increasing the percentage of carbon dioxide in the air.

With the help of ground control, the astronauts refashioned the CO2 canisters in the command module to function in the lunar module.

The devices were effective, but no sooner had they been installed than ground control in Houston alerted them to the fact that their trajectory was off, and they would have to perform another burn.

Ultimate victory

While the documentary has not shied away from the challenges of the Apollo 13 mission, it revels in the ultimate victory of their safe return.

The final burn, in which, with limited navigational equipment, they relied on the sun's position and the terminator of the earth, was successful.

“It was pretty much the normal entry all the way down,” Fred Haise explained. He added proudly that it was the second most accurate splashdown in the entire Apollo program.

Sweeping music plays over scenes of clapping, cheering crowds and a relieved control room. A voice chimes in, extolling the bravery and ingenuity of the astronauts. The voice belongs to the not-yet-impeached President Richard Nixon.

Nixon accurately captures the proud and celebratory tone of the historical moment. Although the story is fairly well-known, the emphasis on first-hand testimony and archival footage lends intimacy to this short documentary.

In her new book, author Bernadette McDonald has focused on a group of mountaineers who remained mostly in the shadows until recently: the local climbers who work for high-altitude expeditions.

Thoroughly researched, Alpine Rising: Sherpas, Baltis and the Triumph of Local Climbers in the Greater Ranges fills in some crucial gaps in mountaineering history. The enthusiasm, passion, and genuine care for these men and women is palpable on every page.

The book is a succession of exciting stories of true adventure. It reviews some epic events, from the first ascents of Annapurna and K2 to recent new routes on alpine 6,000'ers and winter triumphs on Nanga Parbat and K2.

The stories are told from the point of view of those local climbers themselves: Ang Tharkay, who carried on his back the barely surviving pioneers of the first ascent of Annapurna; Gyalzen Norbu Sherpa, one of the first to summit Manaslu; Little Karim, who played key roles in so many Karakoram ascents; and Ali Raza Sadpara, winter expert and master of a new generation of Pakistani climbers, to name a few.

It does not avoid the sometimes somber aftermath of expeditions: injured workers left with no insurance or future, widows forced to raise entire families by themselves, or careers destroyed by alcohol.

Masters of their own destinies

The book runs from the so-called conquest of the 8,000'ers during the second half of the 20th century to the current era of social media. It would be easy to stop with denouncing an unfair, colonialist past, but the book is more than that. In those hundred years, local workers have gone from friendly (and expendable) assistants to, at times, celebrity climbers, "successful entrepreneurs and masters of their own destinies," as Jon Krakauer writes in one of the book's blurbs.

For me, as a journalist who knows many of the stories in the book intimately -- ExplorersWeb is cited 25 times in the end-of-volume references -- perhaps the only things I missed were nuances, or maybe just multiple voices, on some of the stories. I am always astonished at how different stories seem, depending on who tells them.

Subjectivity is unavoidable, especially when witnesses at their physical and mental limits. Also -- and this is indeed reported in the book -- lack of communication and poor coordination are at the heart of many mountain dramas. Hence the need to gather several incomplete accounts that, taken together, add up to something of a whole.

The bitter brawl between the sherpas on Everest and Simone Moro, Ueli Steck, and John Griffith in 2013, for example, seen from the side of the sherpas, was the logical reaction to intolerable insults. At the same time, videos of the event showed a dangerous level of group violence that is hardly a shining moment for anyone involved.

Broad Peak 2021

Also, the rescue of Nastya Runova on Broad Peak in 2021: The only testimony provided in the book is that of Little Hussain. While accurate and worth noting, it looks incomplete without mentioning other climbers who also helped. And I would have welcomed some context about the drama that was taking place some meters above, with several climbers (both locals and foreign) trapped on the ridge while another stranded climber, Kim Hong-Bin of South Korea, eventually died.

Focus on local voices

At the same time, the author has made a deliberate editorial decision to focus on voices usually ignored. The point is to celebrate the evolution of those who carried much of the weight of the Himalayan expedition history on their backs. So while it would be desirable to hear multiple points of view, that is perhaps a different book.

On the business side, the fast development of commercial Himalayan expeditions of today has brought some shadows: unsustainable practices in fragile ecosystems, mistreatment of employees by local entrepreneurs, and a predictably passive government response.

It is interesting to note that many of the Nepalese climbers and entrepreneurs who now dominate the expedition market in their country are interviewed for the book, but surprisingly, there is no word from the biggest of all: Tashi, Mingma, and Chhang Dawa Sherpa, the three brothers who run the powerful Seven Summit Treks.

When I interviewed author Bernadette McDonald recently about this latest book, she explained that she tried to contact them through several channels, but none of them was successful. Inside baseball fact: I've never managed to speak to them either.

Interview with Bernadette McDonald

The idea for the book, said McDonald, came "while I was interviewing Ali Sadpara for the book about winter 8,000'ers. I felt that Ali Sadpara was not getting as much acknowledgment as he should after his part of the first winter Nanga Parbat summit, although it was clear to me, as to other people, that he was the powerhouse on that climb."

McDonald went on: "The question stood in the back of my mind: How could this top, committed climber, and also such a nice guy, not get the credit that he should? He did in Pakistan, but not internationally. [When] Mountaineers Books approached me to write a book about Winter K2, I thought that was, in fact, part of a bigger story and a great chance to give all local climbers, not only on K2, the recognition they deserve."

The purpose of the book

"My goal," she said, "was to transmit stories as directly as possible, exactly as the climbers I interviewed said it. These are their stories, that for whatever reasons had not been told before."

For this purpose, McDonald relied on Sareena Rai in Nepal and Saqlain Muhammad in Pakistan. They had the connections, spoke the local language, and did a great job suggesting names, interviewing, recording, transcribing, and translating.

"The book wouldn't have been possible without them," she said.

McDonald noted that part of the writing took place during the COVID lockdown. Then she had to undergo a knee replacement, which was followed by long weeks of immobility.

"It isn't meant to be a lobbying or activist kind of book as much as a long-range look at the evolution of climbing for local climbers," she explained. "From the pure labor, following-orders kind of work in the 1930s and onward, all the way through the various changes to the point we are at now. When I was trying to choose which climbs to include (and obviously there are hundreds that I couldn't include), I was looking for those incremental steps that created a new reality for local climbers."

The changing Himalayan scene

"The course of history for local climbers has been fascinating, especially in Nepal...The Nepalese have responded swiftly to the requirements of the market, which demanded lots and lots of summits as quickly as possible, and they have become experts in providing those services.

"The Sherpa also provided a service when they were hired in Darjeeling for the pioneering expeditions...but they learned and improved their skills, and their role in the expeditions grew from mere porters to actually leading their Western clients.

"It is something that happened long before the first Nepalese companies were born. I keep coming back to the example of Pasang Dawa Lama, who factually led the Austrians Herbert Tichy and Sepp Joechler to the first summit of Cho Oyu in 1954. Or Pertemba Sherpa on the SW Face of Everest, who played a critical role in the 1975 British expedition."

Education is key

"Improving education also played an important role: If you think of the evolution of climbers from Pakistan and Nepal, the lack of educational opportunities in some areas has clearly held those climbers back, not just in terms of marketing themselves, but in terms of standing up for their rights. The lack of access to proper climbing and rescue training has also hampered their progress."

The internet, she believes, "was the biggest game changer. When local climbers could begin interacting with the world, tell their own stories, market themselves and their businesses, everything changed."

Colliding points of view?

What happens when the locals share points of view that differ from the widely accepted version previously given by the Western teams? What about the bitter comments from locals who feel let down by their foreign employers? Such issues are present at some moments of the book.

"Maybe I'm being naive, but I am hoping that respectfully telling these stories will not raise controversy," McDonald stated. "I tried very hard to give a voice to the actual climbers, and therefore, that voice tells his or her story as directly as possible. I think the reader will need to keep that in mind when making judgments.

"In the end, the key to the interviews I conducted was respect," she concluded. "That is what local climbers are mostly asking for."

Typically, a photographer’s objective is to use an image to tell a story. Usually, the picture is the story. The creative work is self-contained, and its creator remains unseen to the viewer.

But behind the lens, there’s an individual. And that person influences the finished product inextricably.

 

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A post shared by Krystle Wright (@krystlejwright)

That is the concept behind Photographer.

The National Geographic docuseries dropped this week. In it, you can glimpse the interior worlds of people like Paul Nicklen, who has dived with humpback whales, and Dan Winters, who photographed the first launch of NASA’s Artemis project.

 

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You’ll watch the undersea arctic exploits of Nicklen, tune in with Krystle Wright on a storm-chasing tour through the American Midwest. And don’t miss Anand Varma, who gazes so intently at various gigantic beetles and reef arthropods that you start wondering if the animals under examination are getting embarrassed.

Mad scientists

“Working with Anand is like working with a mad scientist,” his intern says. “He has such passionate and eccentric and focused energies. It can come in crazy waves of long, long nights — and then slow, focused, bigger-picture thinking.”

(They’re cutting holes in chicken eggs and replacing them with glass “windows” in a bid to capture the full-term germination of a baby chick in time-lapse.)

There’s a force to the series that can’t be faked because it mostly owes to the mastery behind the images themselves. We all know it when we see a great photograph, even if we have zero idea what it took to create it (pointing the finger directly at myself on this one).

But as I watched the series play out, it illuminated its subjects’ creative processes in ways I didn’t expect. Due to the largely unrelated careers of the six characters involved, I thought Photographer would basically present six standalone portraits. Instead, I started to pick up on a through line. If there is one, it’s improvisation.

 

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The series is heavy on personal-history narratives. And no matter which episode you key in on, I bet you’ve got a similar, wayward story from your 20-somethings. Or 30-somethings, or 40-somethings.

No spoilers; but I defy you not to find contact with a central trait of at least one photographer — Winters’ vagabond affectations, Wright’s risk tolerance, Nicklen’s “survivalism.”

One colleague assesses the effect of Varma’s macrophotography: “setting people’s brains on fire.”

I didn’t expect it to happen to me — but Photographer lit the match.

The series premiered on March 18 on National Geographic at 8/7c and began streaming on March 19 on Disney+ and Hulu.

In The Last Island: Discovery, Defiance, and the Most Elusive Tribe on Earth, author Adam Goodheart explains that this is the first full-length book published about North Sentinel Island. A tiny, jungle-covered dot in the Bay of Bengal, North Sentinel has "somehow managed to slip through the net of history." But the island and its inhabitants are fascinating subjects. Why is there such limited literature?

The answer might be that writing a book about people we know almost nothing about is a pretty tricky proposition. Goodheart handles the task with aplomb, though anyone hoping for "answers" about the Sentinelese might come away a little disappointed.

A long, mysterious history

Most of the world only learned of North Sentinel's existence in 2018, when a young American, driven by religious zeal, made repeated efforts to land on the island and convert the population to Christianity. John Allen Chau was eventually killed by the Sentinelese after his third landing. The fisherman who had transported him to the island spotted the natives dragging Chau's body along the beach the next day.

But the recorded history of North Sentinel starts in 1296 with a remark from Marco Polo. He described the inhabitants as "a most brutish and savage race, having heads, eyes, and teeth like those of dogs." Of course, Polo almost certainly never visited the island.

A passing East India Company vessel named the island in 1771. The crew saw lights and named it North Sentinel as it appeared to stand sentinel at the end of a broad strait. So why, despite its known position and evidence of life, did it manage to "slip through the net of history" over the next couple of hundred years? Hostility alone did not deter the world, and particularly the British, from pushing into (and usually claiming) new lands elsewhere.

Goodheart argues that the geography of the island is part of the reason. The island was too small and had no harbors. The coral reefs surrounding it both kept outsiders out and the Sentinelese in. It's just far enough away from the other Andaman Islands to make travel difficult.

A cosmic fluke

Yet North Sentinel's almost complete isolation still seems something of a cosmic fluke. The British first set up a penal colony in the Andaman Islands in the late 1700s. Eventually, they made a more permanent colony at Port Blair on Great Andaman in 1858.

The British studied the other Andaman island tribes extensively but were not impressed. They were particularly shocked that the tribes had not discovered fire.

"It is impossible to imagine any human beings to be lower in the scale of civilization," a British official wrote in one scathing report.

Among these tribes, the Sentinalese were outliers amongst outliers. They were the only remaining "uncontacted" tribe with their own island and were reclusive even by the standards of their elusive neighbors. Goodheart launches into an interesting history of first British, and then Indian, interactions with the various Andaman tribes. It's fascinating, if often disturbing stuff. There are well-meaning attempts at "civilizing" tribes, sexual assaults, kidnappings, numerous outbreaks of disease, and the occasional moment of beauty and shared humanity.

Heartbreaking

There are some heartbreaking passages: "In 2008, at least eight Onge men and boys -- almost a tenth of the tribe's remaining population -- died after drinking the contents of a bottle that had washed up on the beach, which they believed to be an alcoholic beverage; it was actually a toxic chemical solvent."

Needless to say, contact with the outside world does not prove beneficial for these indigenous groups.

Though North Sentinel's recorded history is short (even compared with the region's other tribes), there have likely been many unrecorded interactions between the Sentinelese and the rest of humanity. Goodheart suggests that some of these interactions could well have been far more impactful on the Sentinelese than anything we have recorded. These experiences, lost to the rest of the world, could have determined this remote tribe's attitude toward contact.

Lots of questions but few answers

Goodheart weaves his personal history with the Andaman Islands and North Sentinel into the book, two trips taken many years apart. For some, this will prove a sideshow, but I enjoyed a more personal perspective and found passages that mirrored my own feelings toward travel, and the inexorable march of time: "My previous visit to the Andamans had felt like a journey. This one began to feel more and more like a trip. Are journeys even possible anymore, I wondered? Is it just my heart has grown older and less expansive since the last century ended, or has the whole world?"

As I wrote in a 2018 piece, Chau's death raises difficult questions about privilege and responsibility within the exploration community. The (very natural) human desire to learn more about the Sentinelese is an ethical minefield too, and something that Goodheart does not shy away from. How different was his 1998 journey to catch a glimpse of the tribe from Chau's 2018 attempt? How much does your motive for visiting members of the Andaman tribes matter?

There's also a difficult juggling act to perform for Indian authorities. Should the North Sentinelese be given regular opportunities to join the outside world? Or should we leave them in complete isolation? Without knowledge of their worldview and reasons for hostility to outsiders, it's impossible to know if they are actively choosing isolation or feel that the world has forced it upon them.

More than North Sentinel

This is not the book to read if you need a definitive answer to why the most elusive tribe on Earth remains hostile to the outside world. It's not even really a book about North Sentinel. Rather, it's a book of ruminations on the Andamans and "first contact." It's a book of questions, and if you're happy to ponder these, it's a riveting, thought-provoking read.

The island's perfect isolation, unmoored from ordinary space and time, is our own self-consoling fantasy: as long as the Sentinelese remain, we can tell ourselves that our planet is still, to some tiny degree, inviolate. We see those islanders through vision as fogged with our own preoccupations as Colombus's first glimpses of the Caribs.

The range of satellite communication devices for adventure travelers increasingly focuses on smartphone technology. Last year, Apple added satellite capabilities to the iPhone 14, and Qualcomm is readying its Snapdragon Satellite service.

Joining these, Motorola recently released the Motorola Defy Satellite Link. This palm-sized device pairs with an Android or iOS app via Bluetooth to allow two-way messaging and emergency calling capabilities. The Link is designed and manufactured by the Bullitt Group in the UK, who are known for producing the CAT and Land Rover tough phones.

Over the past few months, I tested the Defy Satellite Link to get to grips with the device's potential use in the backcountry. First, here's an overview of the key device features (full specification here) and how it works.

Key features and how the device works

• Two-way satellite messaging
• Location sharing
• SOS assistance
• Check-In and SOS function without phone connection
• Estimated up to 5 full days battery life (600 mAh)
• Waterproof (up to 1.5m for 30 minutes)
• 85 x 62 x 11. 2mm and 70g

The Defy Satellite Link pairs to a smartphone via Bluetooth, and connects to a network of satellites that are in a geostationary orbit around the equator. To send text messages when out of regular cell phone or Wi-Fi connection, you must tap into the Bullitt Satellite Messenger app (your phone will require iOS 14 or Android 11). It allows you to text, share a GPS location point, and send a distress call. When activated, the SOS function sends the user's location to Focus Point International. This organization then communicates via text with the user to assess the severity of the situation. If required, it alerts local emergency services.

There is no screen or keyboard on the device itself. Instead, all messaging capabilities (to a phone number, not email) rely on a connection to a smartphone and the use of the app. The device does have a physical "check in" button, which allows users to send their location as a text message, with accompanying latitude/longitude with a Google map location link. The app detects mobile connectivity status and sends and receives all messages via satellite when not in range.

Field performance

I tested the device in the British mountains, across locations in the Peak District National Park with limited or no cell phone coverage. The setup was fairly straightforward. The instructions guide you to download the app and register your phone. The app itself is fairly basic and intuitive, with the main interface displaying options to send a text message, send a check-in message (wording can be pre-customized) to your designated contact, and a tracking function. Tracking is not available for Defy users yet, and a launch date has not been announced.

Initial tests at home ran smoothly. The Defy locked on to a satellite connection (more on that later) in clear view of the sky, and I was able to send a message to multiple contacts, which were received. At this point, however, it is worth noting that the recipients were unable to reply directly to these messages via SMS.

On this, the Bullitt Group states: "For the foreseeable future the way that the service works is app-to-app. This is how the service was designed and will give users the best experience. Although recipient gets notification by SMS, they do need to download and use Bullitt Satellite Messenger to enter into a two-way conversation."

Drop-proof, waterproof

Out in the field, satellite connection was almost always seamless. On occasion, the signal was briefly lost or the initial connection required some patience. In our experience, this is not uncommon with other brand devices. Some early users in the United States have reported connection issues. For those in the northern hemisphere like me, orienting the device toward the south (where the satellite network is located), with a clear view of the sky, may help.

I hit no issues when sending text messages. These were sent and received within a few minutes (tick icons display delivery and read status). However, beyond the initial SMS, recipients did not receive notifications of further incoming messages via the app, which is a current design limitation.

Like many modern satellite communicators, the device is billed as durable and drop-proof. I dropped the device from standing height onto small rocky outcrops and continued to use it with no issues. The only concern, especially when kept in a well-stuffed backpack, is that the SOS button on the side of the device is uncovered. It would, however, take significant pressure to inadvertently deploy an SOS message.

Battery life

Battery life for the Defy is advertised as "up to 5 full days," although this will of course vary based on usage frequency. I found this is the case with intermittent use, but battery life will likely last around 2-4 days with heavier use.

By comparison, I recently used a Garmin InReach Mini 2 continuously for 10 days hiking in Greenland, with heavy tracking and message use. Plenty of juice remained at the end.

Users should note that a smartphone battery will take a hit with continual Bluetooth connection to the device, and with the app open in the background. However, most backcountry travelers should know to connect to the device only when necessary. Charging is straightforward via an enclosed USB-C port.

Coverage

Coverage for the Defy is live in Western and Central Europe and the United States, with roll out to other regions in the coming months. "This [the coverage map below] will be updated in the coming weeks though as we prepare for the rest of our North American coverage to go live. Next month, we will be bringing online most of the Canadian land mass and retailing in Canada," the Bullitt group told ExplorersWeb.

It is important to note that the Motorola Defy Satellite Link uses the Inmarsat and Echostar geostationary satellite networks. These groups of satellites revolve around the equator at an altitude of around 35,000km. This means that coverage for the Defy is limited to around 70 degrees of latitude both north and south. This rules out parts of Alaska and the polar regions.

Comparatively, the Iridium network (used in some other satellite communicators such as the Garmin InReach Mini), relies on satellites in a near-polar orbit at lower altitudes, which allows for near-global coverage. However, the Defy was designed more for everyday adventure, as opposed to expeditions at extreme latitudes.

Cost and subscriptions

The Motorola Defy Satellite Link is very competitively priced and currently retails for $149 in the United States (or £159 in the UK). This includes a 12-month "essential service" plan that covers up to 30 messages (sent or received) per month, as well as SOS assistance. There are various other 12-month subscription plans available, as well as a one-off, no-contract plan. The everyday plan includes up to 80 messages per month and should cover most users' needs ($9.99 per month).

The competition

Other obvious direct competitors include the Garmin InReach Mini 2 and the Zoleo satellite messenger. These do offer global coverage, some additional functionality such as navigation tools, and longer battery life. However, they cost more for the device itself (particularly the InReach Mini 2 - $399.99), and the basic subscription plans are more expensive. Apple iPhone 14 users already have a satellite messaging service, but this requires an outlay for an expensive iPhone.

Conclusion

The Motorola Defy Satellite Link offers a functional, compact, and durable tool for those wanting basic two-way satellite messaging and SOS assistance in the backcountry. The device is easy to set up and use and has a very competitive price. It will become more attractive to backcountry travelers when the teething issues (e.g. lack of recipient notifications) are ironed out. It may be worth waiting for a few months after it launches in your region to confirm backcountry coverage.

Eight years after it came to the stage in the U.S., the opera Everest premiered in London last week. It recounts one of Everest’s best well-known stories.

Deaths on Everest are not uncommon. This year alone, 17 climbers lost their lives. But May 10, 1996 was different. In one day, eight climbers from three separate groups perished in a blizzard. This was near the beginning of the commercialization of Everest, and this was the nascent industry's first major disaster.

Jon Krakauer -- who was on the mountain that day -- famously profiled the drama in Into Thin Air. There have been other books and films about the tragedy, but this is the first stage adaptation. It is a semi-staged production, with mountain backdrops, maps, and candles projected on a screen that wraps around three sides of the stage. The BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Singers accompany the narrative.

The blizzard takes hold

Everest focuses on three climbers: Rob Hall, Doug Hansen, and Beck Weathers. Hall leads the group. While climbing, Weathers suffers snow blindness and has to wait further down the mountain. The other two continue upwards and joyously summit before reality sets in. There is not enough oxygen, and the blizzard takes hold. As they realize their fate, Weathers has hallucinations of his daughter, and a stranded Hall makes his famous satellite phone call to his pregnant wife.

The chorus of the dead, which is in the background of the orchestra throughout, now becomes more prominent. In their final moments, you see Hall and Hansen pulled into the chorus. The backdrop becomes filled with the names of all who have died attempting to climb the mountain. Weathers miraculously survives his ordeal, although two rescuers declare him dead.

Reviews

Former mountaineer and classical singer Kate Armstrong reviewed the opera for The Alpine Club. She admits that an alpinist's eye catches mistakes. The clothing is wrong, they have hiking poles instead of ice axes, the backdrop shows spindrift instead of a deadly blizzard.

Despite these discrepancies, she says, the opera succeeds by "focusing not on the facts of the tragedy, but on conveying an emotional essence…it does take seriously why people attempt the climb, the stakes, and the effects on those left behind –- conveying them with the deep, multi-sensory power that only opera can.”

A new opera brings the 1996 Mount Everest disaster to the stage @BarbicanCentre. @katejarmstrong examines how this forthrightly emotional medium offers a new look at this oft-told tale of mountaineering tragedy.

READ https://t.co/188qmAY9DC

Mark Allan / BBC pic.twitter.com/f9sEKGu8Ph

— Alpine Club (@thealpineclub) June 27, 2023

In Broadway World, Alexander Cohen wrote that "the music [injects a] pungent sense of danger and lets it slowly undulate with terror that burrows under the skin.”

Less impressed, Andrew Clements wrote in The Guardian, “There’s no sense of the music doing what an opera score should, adding an extra dramatic dimension. What drama there is stems entirely from the tragic facts of the original story…The opera never comes close to touching the full depths of the tragedy, or to revealing what drives climbers to risk their lives in the ways that they do.”

BBC Radio 3 will air the opera on July 8. It will then be available on BBC Sounds for 30 days.

It's a well-used trope that freshly minted parents view the world in a new light after the birth of their children. I mostly avoided the cliché, with one exception. The burgeoning climate change anxiety I've been feeling for the last 10 years or so went into overdrive a few days after my son entered this world. It hasn't slowed down since.

I thought about that anxiety quite a bit as I watched "Pleistocene Park", a quirky new documentary by Luke Griswold-Tergis currently touring the mountain festival circuit. The film follows a beret-wearing, chain smoking Russian geophysicist named Sergey Zimov and his son Nikita as they attempt to stave off the melting of the Siberian permafrost.

If that sounds overwhelming, just wait. The Zimovs, along with their families and a cadre of stocky, muck-boot-wearing farmhands, are attempting to reach this lofty goal via the unusual — some would say impossible — method of returning the global north to the "mammoth steppe" ecosystem last witnessed over 10,000 years ago.

The theory

Current climate-change models don't account for the massive amounts of carbon stored in permafrost, and that's a real problem, as the icy layer is rapidly melting. The resulting feedback loop could speed up climate change in ways we can't currently comprehend. Sergey Zimov's theory and plan, assembled after decades of life and study in Siberia, is this:

1. Snow is a good insulator, and when undisturbed, it keeps soil levels warm enough that the Earth's recent uptick in temperature causes even more permafrost melting.
2. Snow that is disturbed through the foraging action of millions of grassland fauna and megafauna leads to less insulated, cooler soil — cool enough to keep the permafrost frozen throughout the summer.
3. The ecosystem needed to create this cooling no longer exists.
4. The only way to create the needed ecosystem is to bring in grazing animals a few at a time, manage their populations until they number in the millions, and then steward them to terraform the environment.
5. Maybe, eventually, cloned woolly mammoths join the party.

That's exactly what Sergey and Nikita are attempting with Pleistocene Park. Little by little, they fundraise and scrape together cash and then purchase yak, moose, elk, horses, bison, and other animals, often transporting them vast distances across Europe and Asia to the park's swampy 80-square-kilometre confines in Russia's Sakha Republic.

It's a grueling, painstakingly slow process, and still more of an idea than a fully realized concept. And yet the two men soldier on.

The park is partly an experiment to prove Sergey's theories. Partly it's an investment in the future, as reaching the numbers of grazing animals needed to create the ecosystem in 50 years necessitates action now. Partly it's an exercise in, as Griswold-Tergis says in the film, "pathological optimism."

And partly it's a grim battle against fatalism, the unforgiving Siberian elements, and plain bad luck.

Entropy

For a documentary chronicling an epic and lofty attempt at windmill tilting (or is it genius?), the film's moment-by-moment rhythms are rooted in the miserable realities of trying to make any kind of ambitious project work at unforgiving latitudes. Clouds of mosquitoes abound. Mud is everywhere. Critical machinery is always breaking down, and the common method of repair seems to be a blend of Slavic curses and violent hammer blows.

There are always setbacks, and many are not overcome. Sergey smokes and stalks the larches or stretches out on a couch, his mood vacillating wildly between optimistic pride and bleak despair. Nikita stares blankly into the camera, his shoulders set with filial responsibility, his eyes reddened by weariness. He refuses to speculate on the park's future success.

But he's always in action — worrying over animals, trucking new additions across 11 times zones, felling trees, and running a Kickstarter campaign.

These scenes of changing tires and fretting over bison encapsulate the film's themes. Where is the line between optimism and obsession? Is doing something — anything — about our oncoming climate disaster better than doing nothing at all?

We can see this battle between optimism and fatalism lurking behind every action in "Pleistocene Park" — a battle that connected deeply with me as a new father worried about the effects climate change will have on my growing family.

Pathological optimism

It took Luke Griswold-Tergis over eight years to make "Pleistocene Park", and his film is a masterclass in what it means to gain the trust of a documentary subject. His camera captures the Zimovs with intimacy and familiarity, even as he himself is drawn into the park's troubles and triumphs. The film's editor Maureen Gosling also deserves major plaudits for taking what was surely hundreds of hours of achingly similar footage and weaving it into an effective narrative.

If the film has a flaw, it's that it features not one but two extended sequences that involve transporting animals across great distances, and the two sequences are almost identical in challenges faced and overcome. But that's life at Pleistocene Park — fighting the same battles over and over again, with little progress to show for it, but choosing to fight anyway.

The climate scientists interviewed in the film aren't at all sure that Zimov's plan will work. But to a person, they respect that someone is taking action. The days of half measures are over. Full commitment — even to an idea that seems, at best, implausible — is the only way forward.

Pathological optimism indeed.

Vice Media will broadcast/stream Pleistocene Park in early 2023.

An emergency radio is a critical piece of my emergency kit, and it also proves useful when camping. Its versatility and ability to function 100% off-grid make the device a must-have for van lifers, car campers, outdoor people, and average joes who want to be prepared for the unexpected. The Kaito KA500 Emergency Radio is an affordable, complete kit worth considering.

Coming from the hurricane-laden Gulf Coast, I have learned a thing or two about severe weather and how to prepare. While I have enjoyed that noticeable lack of impending natural disasters since moving to the Pacific Northwest, wildfire season and an-ever looming threat of ‘The Big One’ (a large, seriously overdue earthquake) still provides plenty of reason to be ready for the worst.

Kaito Emergency Radio Test & Review

For annoying your dog or making it through severe weather, the Kaito KA500 Emergency Radio is an excellent choice. This portable emergency radio has six power source options, including solar, hand crank, and AA batteries when electricity is unavailable. A 14.5-inch antenna adds range, while the USB charger can keep your smartphone, GPS unit, or any other device alive when power isn’t available.

This is one of the best features of a good crank emergency radio: In an emergency, your phone can be a lifeline, but its charge may die before you find reception. A crank-powered radio with a USB port gives you an unlimited source of power. You may have to crank all day to power it up, but at least you’ll have some way to keep your tech alive.

Initial setup of the Kaito KA500 Emergency Radio was tricky, but it might not have been if I had read the instructions. But who needs those anyway?

During testing, the hand crank annoyed my roommate’s dog and had him barking up a storm. If you have a noise-sensitive animal, this device may be a fun toy or dog torture machine. We tried to curb his barking at the mailman using the sound of the crank, but alas, it did not work.

My only complaint about the hand crank was its size and location on the emergency radio made it a bit uncomfortable to use compared to other emergency radios I’ve used.

Emergency Preparedness: Lights, Radio, Action!

The Kaito emergency radio offers NOAA weather radio and a full range of AM and FM radio stations. These stations connect users with local and national weather and access music, sports, and other entertainment channels. The NOAA weather radio access is key during severe weather events as it may be the only way to secure critical forecasts and updates. If you are without your normal creature comforts for weeks because the power is out, you’ll have the AM/FM radio stations to keep you entertained. The speakers were pretty crisp, and it was easy to hear.

Multiple lighting options exist on this device, including a reading lamp and flashlight. I wish the lights were a bit brighter, but they served their purposes well. What this product lacks some of the additional features that make an appearance in other competitors, it makes it up for in durability.

Kaito products are built tough, and the KA500 emergency radio is no exception. The plastic exterior makes the device resistant to dings but keeps it lightweight should you need to run out the door or to a basement at a moment’s notice.

The Buy

Bringing the Kaito KA500 Emergency Radio home requires a visit to Amazon or your favorite big box store and sports an MSRP of $50.

You don’t want to be caught without this piece of potentially lifesaving equipment. Don’t take your chances. Prepare now.

See Kaito KA500 Emergency Radio on Amazon

See Kaito KA500 Emergency Radio on Walmart

No matter whether it's frigid winter, the hurricane season, or the wildfire season, you need your own emergency kit. In that kit, you should have an emergency radio. These devices can be critical for keeping phones and other electronics charged when you are without electricity. They keep you informed of critical weather updates and can signal rescuers.

I spent most of my life living on the disaster-prone Gulf Coast. My Mimi would tell us the story of watching her house fall down around her head during Hurricane Camille. My mother still recounts her epic adventure to try and get us from after-school care during Tropical Storm Allison and nearly flooding our minivan.

As I got older, I lived through some big storms like Hurricanes Rita, Ike, Harvey, and more. During Hurricane Harvey, I lost my home, car, and a lot of my belongings after evacuating my apartment via kayak.

Few things drill emergency preparedness into your brain better than experiences like that. My personal go-to emergency radio is the Running Snail Emergency Crank Radio. Don’t be fooled by its size. Sometimes good things really do come in small packages.

RunningSnail Emergency Radio Testing

Despite its small stature, the RunningSnail Emergency Crank Radio impressed me with its capabilities and features. The device itself is handheld and would be easy to grab in an emergency. The setup and use were so straightforward, I didn’t even need to read the instructions. Granted, I rarely do anyway. The fold-out crank in the back is large, especially considering the device’s size, making charging this tool easy. Battery indicator lights report how much battery is in the radio at any given time.

When charging my phone or iPad with this device, it drained the battery fairly quickly. But all I had to do was crank and it was back in business. In a hurricane or severe weather event, this emergency radio would be a saving grace. It could keep me (and you) up to date with the latest forecast via phone or the weather radio. This radio also charges via solar power, but my preferred method is the crank, as it’s faster and more reliable.

Jam Out, Even with No Power

The speakers are generally clear but a bit fuzzy when playing weather radio. However, when switching to FM radio, the speakers had no issues. I even managed to find a station of early 2000s hits while I wrote this article. (These words are brought to you by Panic! At The Disco.) If you like bringing music on your outdoor excursions, I recommend the RunningSnail emergency radio. It packs and travels handily, and provides impressive sound without all the wires.

Additionally, the flashlight is exceptionally bright. I take this tool bouldering at night sometimes as an extra light because it is so bright. My favorite feature of this device is the SOS button. When held down, the device will release a loud siren sound and flash its lights. This feature could be incredibly impactful in the outdoors should a camping trip go awry or if you need to signal rescuers during an emergency.

Review Conclusions, Availability, & Pricing

RunningSnail Emergency Radio is available for purchase through RunningSnail’s website, Amazon, and various camping retailers.

The MSRP is $50 for this device, but the price varies by retailer. Expect the unexpected and prepare now, before the hurricane and wildfire seasons are in full summer swing.

See RunningSnail Emergency Crank Radio on Amazon

“You get what you pay for.” It’s an axiom of capitalism that rings true more often than not. AstroAI  24-liter electric cooler competes aggressively with other electric coolers on price points, but does it break the bond between quality and price? After a three-week review based on intermittent testing, I’m still skeptical.

The AstroAI electric cooler worked for short-term cooling, such as keeping frozen items from melting during hot car rides home from the grocery store. But I wouldn’t rely on it for extended use, and some users have reported unrecoverable quality control issues. Read on for the full analysis.

Car Fridge: Basics of AstroAI Electric Coolers

AstroAI makes a 24-liter electric cooler with a removable hinged lid. The 8-foot cord tucks into a compartment inside the lid. A simple on/off switch is mounted on the cord near the base. It’s a 12V unit, which plugs into a car cigarette lighter. AstroAI sells the cooler with no 110V option but offers converters separately for $16.

The cooler seemed surprisingly compact for its moderate volume, and it was easy to carry. Exterior dimensions are 18” tall, 16” wide, and 12” deep. Instead of a seal or latch, the cooler’s handle keeps the lid closed by seating over the hinges. Cooling ability is 32 degrees below ambient temperature.

To achieve that result, AstroAI prescribes fairly specific instructions. The cooler arrives with two ice packs. For the best results, you’re supposed to freeze the ice packs and use them to help the AstroAI stay cold. You then make sure the vents on the lid stay clear and close the handle over the hinges to lock it.

In one instance, the marketing materials show water ice in the bottom of the cooler. I didn’t perform this test because I considered it pointless. If I have to use ice in an electric cooler, what’s the point of refrigeration? I might as well use a standard cooler and save myself the possible trouble of the electronics.

Testing and Evaluation 

Results for my review of the AstroAI were mixed. While I was happy with its short-term efficiency, I was worried about its long-term functionality. After testing, I’m confident that it won’t keep beer cold unless you add ice. In addition, some of the ergonomics didn’t make sense. And, perhaps most troublingly, the 12V plug got really hot in the socket really quickly.

My favorite way to use the AstroAI electric cooler was to keep groceries fresh during transit. In conjunction with the included ice packs, the fan cools the interior pretty quickly. The method I settled on was plugging it in and letting it cool for an hour before using it. The two included dividers were handy for staying organized and keeping fresh away from frozen. In this capacity, for usage under 3 hours, it excelled during the review period.

But I didn’t trust the cooler long term. Though most online reviewers are happy with their AstroAI purchases, a concerning number report quality issues or burnout. From consolidating a few reports and observing what I could safely test during my review, I concluded that plug is the most likely weak point.

Not Cool, Man...

A few reviewers report blown fuses, but many more say the cooler “stopped working” or “won’t turn on” after anywhere from a week to a month of use. I’m betting the fuse is the issue the majority of the time, but not every user is savvy enough to diagnose it.

The plug did get alarmingly hot every time I tested it. After a few hours of use, it was uncomfortable for me to touch. For those without heavily impaired skin sensitivity on their hands from years of rock climbing, the hot plug might feel borderline untouchable.

Aside from this eyebrow-raiser, the electric cooler didn’t offend me. Yes, the little door on the lid that stores the cord was cheap. Yes, it was weird that there was no way for the hinge to lock together — it just lifted apart freely no matter what. But apart from that, I had no cogent complaints.

Verdict and Pricing 

The AstroAI 24-liter electric cooler costs a fraction of some of the other field entries at $80 MSRP. However, it’s also much less capable or reliable than burlier e-coolers that share more characteristics with refrigerators.

Bottom line: it looks like, yet again, you get what you pay for.

See AstroAI Electric Cooler on Amazon

See AstroAI Electric Cooler on Walmart

See AstroAI Electric Cooler on Wayfair

One of my favorite pocket camping knives, known for its quality, is Benchmade. Approximately 25 miles from where I’m writing this article, the Benchmade headquarters in Oregon City, Oregon, is churning out more knives for the outdoorsy, the tradesfolk, the hunters and gatherers, and anyone who needs a pocket knife.

A Knife Built as Tough as Those Who Use it

I have lost, destroyed, and dulled many knives over the years. An old boss gifted me my first Bugout 535 as a going-away gift in hopes I could use it for years to come. I’ll admit that at first, I was reluctant to use it because of the money my ex-boss spent on the knife. If there was a job as “Professional Loser and Destroyer of Knives”, I could make a successful career out of it. But after working up the courage to use the knife, I started carrying it daily. This also means it has joined me on many outdoor adventures. I’ve used it to make food while camping and hiking, to open boxes, cut ropes, and more. I haven’t used another knife since the Bugout came into my life.

I’ve taken this knife on over 100 outdoor climbing days for bouldering, sport climbing, trad climbing, and multi-pitch adventures. The blue handle helps me spot it easily in my bag. I usually bring it cross-country or backcountry skiing as well. I have less use for it in resorts. This knife has also joined me on dozens of camping trips, and while I prefer to use a different knife for cutting food, it has done the job a few times in a pinch.

The drop-point blade has plenty of surfaces to slice with. Best of all, the premium-grade steel blade is still ultra-sharp, two years later. I still haven’t had to resharpen the knife, and being the clumsy human I am, I still accidentally slice myself with it every once in a while. The secure grivory handle has failed to slip out of my fingers, and the handle design helps with fatigue and grip when precision matters. When open, the length of the knife is 7.46 inches; when closed, it’s 4.22 inches. This makes it palm-sized even when your hands are small. It’s lightweight at 1.85 ounces, so it doesn’t sag in even the most pitiful of pockets on women’s clothing.

The Buy

While Benchmade knives can get pricey, they are worth their weight in gold. While there are several Benchmade retailers, you can also order this knife from them directly at the MSRP of $155. I highly recommend Benchmade and specifically the Bugout for adventurers and those who adore the outdoors and need tools for navigating it.

See Bugout 535 Benchmade Pocket Knife on Benchmade

See Bugout 535 Benchmade Pocket Knife on REI

See Bugout 535 Benchmade Pocket Knife on Walmart

I first learned about Amavara products when I stumbled upon their booth at Outdoor Retailer in 2019. I chatted with the person managing their booth about climbing, skincare, and life. They sent me home with a bottle of the tinted sunscreen to try out for myself to see how I liked it. I make a lot of my own skincare products because I like it, and it is more environmentally friendly. But, I can’t really make quality sunscreen at home, so I prefer to source it from brands that care about the environment, avoid harsh chemicals and offer cruelty-free products. The Amavara Tinted Mineral Sunscreen provides impressive sun protection while caring for your skin and the world we play in.

All Around Good

Amavara Reef Safe Tinted Sunscreen Lotion is not only good for your skin, but it is also great for the ocean and the earth. Amavara is committed to protecting the places we play, and part of that process is offering packaging made of post-consumer recycled materials. Additionally, all their products, including the tinted sunscreen, are cruelty-free and made with reef-safe ingredients while offering a high zinc concentration without the classic pasty white residue. I have very sensitive skin, and Amavara caters to those with skin like mine that is aggravated by the smallest thing. I’m allergic to aloe vera, which many companies use in their sensitive skin products, but this product is aloe-free.

I never wear makeup, but I do wear this sunscreen on my face during the spring and summer. It offers me a bit of tint but nothing overbearing while protecting me from the sun. Additionally, even when I use it on my heavily tattooed skin, it offers a tint without reducing the color of my tattoos too heavily. A feature I love about this product is the ability to apply it when you are sweaty or wet. Oftentimes, we have to dry off before applying or reapplying sunscreen but no more. This is convenient and provides less disruption during outdoor activities while offering the same 80 minutes of UVA and UVB protection in the water or outside of it. I love companies that stand by their products, care for the environment, and don’t cut corners, and Amavara hits all of those marks while offering exceptional products like their tinted mineral sunscreen.

The Buy

Amavara is available online via their website, Target, some outdoor retailers, and Amazon at an MSRP of $18 a tube. While that may seem steep for sunscreen, a little goes a very long way, and I’m certainly willing to pay a little more for a quality product that goes above and beyond for the earth.

See Amavara Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 on Amazon

See Amavara Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 on Walmart

Franklin makes an unlikely interjection in the flip-up sunglasses category with its lightweight, durable MLB Deluxe shades. It’s undeniable that these babies come from a weird lineage and look like it. The pedigree is steroids-era baseball to the core, and the aesthetic leans toward awkward 2000s flare. But my tested experiences still planted them squarely in my quiver.

Regardless of your idea of cool vs. un-, flip-up sunglasses are effective. The concept checks out: With a simple touch, you’re in control with shade for the bright lights and a clear view for dark times.

That was exactly my experience with the Franklin shades. Transitioning from poolside to bar counter and back (many, many times) was no trouble, even in blinding July sun. The tint was plenty deep to relax the eyes, the action was snappy, and the frames were tight but comfortable.

I also experienced a sudden desire to max out on steroids, stand aggressively close to home plate with a transformer elbow guard and mash titanic dingers. But that’s another story.

Flip-Up Shades For the Win: Franklin Sunglasses Testing

So to be fully transparent: I was pretty self-conscious about rocking Franklin Flip-Up Sunglasses in public. I revel in ironic self-caricature as much as the next guy, but at first, the shades hit an awkward nerve. They weren’t quite over-the-top enough to obviously state, “I know that I am a joke — please make fun of me,” but with their purple/gold/royal tint and wide wraparound shape, they were also far from understated.

But people like them, so I was informed by the powers that be. And they’re cheap, which I respect. So out into the world I went.

Almost instantly, function and user comfort banished my apprehension. I shortly felt self-confident, thanks to the mirrored lenses’ UVA and UVB protection and the frames’ comfy fit. The glasses combine a snug fit with a super light weight (1.0 ounces, verified) for easy wear. And the tint kept out the summer sun’s harshest beat-downs.

The bulk of testing took place at the pool and golf course. If that offends your perception that I’m a grizzled rock climber, well, don’t judge — it’s hot as sh*t in Las Vegas in the summer, and you still gotta find ways to drink beer. Both experiences were extremely pleasant, and I highly preferred the Franklins to my usual (cheap) glasses for on-course performance.

Come to think of it; I’ll absolutely take the Franklins next time I go climbing in the sun. Light weight, relative un-scratch-ability (as tested), and their superlative transitional capacity make them a perfect choice for sports.

No Flip-Flopping: Franklin MLB Deluxe Flip-Up Sunglasses Verdict and MSRP

In all, I considered Franklin’s flip-up sunglasses a superlative choice for athletics or casual hangs. You’ll get a few looks, don’t get me wrong. These babies are right outta that awkward time in the early aughts when American culture seemed to insist on a weird Sugar Ray skew.

But if you can get over that (you will), they’re as functional and comfortable as it gets. Especially at the price — Franklin puts MSRP at a trim $15. As of this writing, Amazon listed the shades for $10.

See Franklin Flip-Up Sunglasses on Amazon

See Franklin Flip-Up Sunglasses on Walmart

Anytime I think of sunscreen or going out in the sun, I hear my very pale mother’s voice, “Reapply, REapply, REAPPLY.” These words governed our childhood in east Texas, where the sun is brutal, especially in the summer, and sunscreen is a must anytime you step outside. As an adult, I still burn the first few times I am outdoors all day in the summer, no matter what I do and how much I heed my mother’s advice. Regardless, I arm myself with sunscreen every time I’m outdoors to protect my skin and my tattoos. I have a full sleeve on one arm, a mostly filled torso, and an almost full sleeve on the other arm—meaning I’ve invested a lot of money into my art, and it’s important to me to protect it. My favorite and normal go-to sunscreen is SunBum SPF50 Original Sunscreen Lotion. This product offers exceptional protection, easy application, and nourishing ingredients for healthy skin.

Protection Without Harmful Substances

One of my favorite ways to keep cool in the summer is to head to the river or the water. We have so many rivers within an hour and a half of Portland, and I have seemingly endless choices of water to enjoy for swimming or paddleboarding. One of my favorite features of SunBum is that it provides 80 minutes of water resistance to UVA and UVB rays in the water and 120 minutes outside of the water, meaning more time spent doing things I love and less time reapplying.

One feature I love most about this sunscreen and sunburn products, in general, is how nourishing and safe it is for your skin. Many competitor options contain chemicals that can harm fish, wildlife, reefs, and you — as someone who cares about the world I play in, that doesn't fly with me. SunBum is reef-friendly, hypoallergenic, and paraben-free, meaning it's less likely to aggravate your skin or our fish friends. To top it off, this lotion is vegan and cruelty-free so that everyone can use it. I've been using this sunscreen for years for paddleboarding, skiing, rock climbing, hiking, and more. If you can think of an outdoor activity done when the sun is out, I've probably worn this product while doing it.

The Buy

In recent years, SunBum has become so popular that it went from only existing in certain retailers to being easily found in pharmacies, grocery stores, and other big box stores. You can also purchase SunBum from the official website or other online retailers like Amazon. The going MSRP is $9.99. If you don't want lotion, SunBum also has spray sunscreen and offers 30SPF for varied protection.

See SunBum SPF50 Original Sunscreen on Amazon

See SunBum SPF50 Original Sunscreen on Walmart

As a climber for the past seven years, I’ve purchased my fair share of climbing gear. The first harness I bought because it was affordable, and while it wasn’t bad, it wasn’t ideal for hanging in for long multi-pitch routes. Nor was it ideal for racking up with lots of gear once I started trad climbing.

So when I was in the market for a new harness, I went to the gear shop and started trying them on and hanging in them to see which was the most comfortable. The Petzl Luna was the most comfortable harness I tried, and it’s been my go-to ever since.

Best Uses

While I use my Petzl Luna as an all-around harness, it excels at some things more than others. It’s not the most lightweight harness, so if you’re looking for something that you’ll never notice in your pack or your body, it’s probably not the right option. Additionally, if you’re looking for a super lightweight glacier harness, you’ll definitely want to skip this one.

Since I mostly climb trad climbs and multi-pitches with some sport climbing mixed in, the Petzl Luna fits all of my needs. It’s cushy enough to hang in for long periods of time. At least for my body: Everyone’s bodies are different. But it’s not as heavy as other comfort-oriented harnesses like the Misty Mountain Cadillac. I find it to be the perfect middle ground between comfort and weight.

The Petzl Luna is perfect for single and multi-pitch trad, alpine rock climbing, and occasional sport climbing.

Features

The Luna has lots of gear space, making it ideal for the outings where you want to bring every last cordalette and runner for that blocky, run-out, alpine rock climb you have been dreaming about.

The five gear loops help you stash a full double rack, plus all the extras you think you might need. I know I’m someone who likes to have everything — just in case — so if you’re similar, having extra gear loops is key.

The two gear loops in the front are large and rigid for clipping quickly and storing lots of gear, while the back loops are flexible and angled for access even while wearing a backpack. The fifth back loop is large and flexible for storing anchor equipment or extras you don’t need all the time. There is also a rear accessory loop for a chalk bag or other needs.

The leg loops adjust, a feature that comes in handy if you climb all year round or ice climb in the winter. It’s a feature you never know you need until you’re trying to squeeze into your non-adjustable leg loops with two extra pairs of long johns on, and you can’t quite get your legs all the way in. Or, if you suffer from the fun athletic body problem of having significantly disproportionate quads to your waist, you probably already know you need a harness with adjustable leg loops.

The padded waistband supports your back while you hang around all day. The longer rise and waistband-to-leg-loop ratio of the harness are designed to fit a woman’s body comfortably.

Final Thoughts

If you’re primarily a trad climber or multi-pitch climber and want a harness that can stand up to hanging belays and carry lots of gear, the Petzl Luna is a great option. It’s a women-specific model with all the features you need for long days.

It’s been my favorite harness for a few years, to the point that I’ve had multiple of them. I find it comfortable while hanging, belaying, and climbing, and love how much room it has for gear. Plus, the purple color isn’t bad, either.

See Petzl LUNA Harness on Amazon

See Petzl LUNA Harness on REI

See Petzl LUNA Harness on Backcountry

Named after the iconic Tommy Caldwell, La Sportiva's TC Pro shoes have been the gold standard for trad climbing and crack climbing since their conception. The high-top design is reminiscent of climbing shoes from past eras, but the functionality is 100% modern.

If you're a crack climber, want your ankles to be protected, or are just looking for an all-around comfortable but well-performing climbing shoe, the TC Pro is an excellent option.

As someone with various foot issues (a bunion, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendonitis…), comfort is number one when it comes to climbing shoes. I wish I could wear super down-turned, tight, high-performance shoes, but even for sport climbing and bouldering, I need my shoes to be comfortable and supportive.

So when I first tried TC Pros, I knew I had found a shoe that fit all my needs. They're sensitive enough for smearing yet stiff enough to stand on small edges without hurting my toes. They protect my ankles from the inevitable scratches I used to get while climbing cracks with other shoes. And I can wear them all day long without any pain.

Features

The TC Pros feature a moderate downturn and medium-high asymmetry that adds precision and technical capability without taking away much comfort. You could always downsize for a more precise fit, although most people buy these shoes for all-day comfort instead of technical precision.

While I prioritize comfort, my partner does own multiple pairs of TC Pros, all in different sizes — tighter for hard climbing and looser for long comfortable climbing.

The 4mm Vibram XS Edge rubber strikes a balance of durability with stickiness, and I feel like they do a good job with that balance. The rubber on my shoes tends to last through a year or so of climbing most weekends in the spring, summer, and fall before they need a resole.

The leather upper molds to your feet over time, providing protection and comfort. There is a bit of a break-in period when they feel pretty stiff, in both the sole and the upper, but that quickly goes away after some use. The lace-up closure is easy to adjust and especially helps if you have weirdly shaped feet. The laces are one of the less durable parts of the shoe but are easy to replace if they do break before the rest of the shoe does.

Best Uses

Many people use TC Pros as their all-around or only climbing shoe. While I wouldn't recommend them for gym climbing, they can pretty much hold their own in any outdoor climbing situation.

While they are designed and acclaimed for crack climbing, trad climbing, and slab climbing, they really can excel at sport climbing and could even be used for bouldering in a pinch. Not that I would recommend them for someone pushing the limits of bouldering.

Regarding rock types, they genuinely excel at granite climbing. The big walls of Yosemite are actually what prompted this shoe's creation. I also love them for sandstone cracks in Indian Creek and Basalt columns in the PNW. They are not as great for limestone since the toe doesn't work well for pockets compared to more aggressive, softer shoes (although they stand well on small edges, so they could work for some limestone climbing!).

Final Thoughts

If you're a trad and crack climber looking for a comfortable shoe that still performs well, the TC Pro is your shoe. Yes, they're expensive, but they last through many resoles if you treat them well. And they'll be your go-to shoe as soon as you try them on.

From Yosemite big walls to Washington Cascade alpine rock to sandstone in Red Rocks, TC Pros are a shoe that can do pretty much everything. And you'll be grateful to never have scuffed up ankles from off-widths again.

See La Sportiva TC Pro on Backcountry

See La Sportiva TC Pro on La Sportiva

See La Sportiva TC Pro on REI

La Sportiva’s Miura climbing shoes come in two different styles: lace-up and VS. Although they are technically the same shoe, they’re suitable for different applications. The lace-up version works well for a variety of applications and on different terrains. In contrast, the Miura VS (hook and loop closure) version is more bouldering-specific, since it’s designed as more of a slipper and is less adjustable than the Miura lace.

The Miura lace is one of my all-time favorite shoes, thanks to its versatility in technical climbing. The pointed, asymmetrical toe is excellent for sport climbing, especially on overhanging walls and limestone pockets. It also excels on small edges because of the stiffer sole, yet it smears almost as well as its edges. Plus, it’s my go-to shoe for finger cracks because the thin toe fits well into cracks thinner than a .75, unlike my typical crack climbing shoe, the TC Pro.

Technology

The La Sportiva Miura lace and the Miura VS have slightly different features but start from the same base. The slingshot rand and Powerhinge system help you edge on the tiniest holds. The slingshot rand is a piece of rubber that wraps around the back of your heel and the bottom of your foot. It helps keep your shoe in place when putting pressure on your toes. It also helps with heel hooks.

La Sportiva ties the slingshot rand into their Powerhinge system that wraps the whole foot in rubber and provides extra support when toeing in on a tiny foothold. The Miura VS and the Miura lace use 4mm Vibram XS Edge rubber to maintain shape, grip, and precision while edging.

For closures, the La Sportiva Miura lace uses a speed lacing system that easily and quickly adjusts for your foot (one of the reasons I love these shoes). The leather upper and multi-paneled liner molds to fit your foot over time. The Miura VS is a three-strap hook and loop closure that compliments the one-piece leather upper and synthetic liner. It’s unlined on the sole for better sensitivity.

Final Thoughts

The Miura lace is one of my all-time favorite shoes for sport climbing, bouldering, and thin crack climbing. It adjusts well to your feet due to the lace-up closure; if you size up a bit, they are comfortable enough to wear all day long.

The Miura VS is better for gym climbing, bouldering, and steep sport climbing. It’s a stiffer shoe designed to fit more tightly due to the slipper style and hook and loop closure.

Both versions of the Miura come in women’s and men’s versions. The women’s is slightly lower volume, although, with the lace-up style, it’s easy to adjust to fit most feet. I’ve worn both the men’s and women’s lace-up Miuras and find them comparable in fit and performance.

Overall, these are high-quality performance climbing shoes that work well for various styles of climbing. You will probably get a lot out of the Miura VS or the Miura Lace (or both!).

The Buy

The La Sportiva Miura Lace and VS are available directly through La Sportiva, many in-person and online outdoor retailers, and even places like Amazon.com. You may even find these shoes at your local climbing gym. The MSRP for these shoes is $179, but you can often find a good deal if you look around.

See La Sportiva Miura Climbing Shoes on Backcountry

See La Sportiva Miura Climbing Shoes on La Sportiva

One of my favorite sunglasses, Sunski’s Dipsea glasses, work just as well while adventuring as they do hanging out around town. They stay on your face even while running or skiing, plus they look great. I recommend Sunski sunglasses to anyone who asks. They’re affordable, sustainable, high quality, and have a great warranty.

The Dipsea’s have lots of color options as well. My current pair has bright blue reflective lenses, but I’ve also had the green ones. If you’re into more neutral colors, they also have those, but they’re lame (I’m joking, they’re cool too).

Sustainable Materials

Sunski makes their sunglasses out of their very own SuperLight material. SuperLight is recycled plastic resin, saved from going to a landfill. It’s strong, flexible, and lightweight. They also use plastic-free packaging, using innovative folding techniques instead of glue to keep their packaging together.

They’re also a member of 1% for the Planet and are Climate Neutral certified. If you care about supporting sustainable and ethical brands — I sure do — Sunski is a good one to support.

Lifetime Warranty

There’s one thing, in particular, I really appreciate about the Sunski sunglasses, and that’s their lifetime warranty. Step on these, let your dog eat them, drop them off a cliff, or run them over with your car (not on purpose, of course), and Sunski will send you a new pair. Trust me, I’ve used their warranty. I’ve broken the arms of my sunglasses off while glacier guiding in Alaska (a place you definitely need sunglasses), and Sunski sent me a new pair immediately, no questions asked.

Do note that scratched lenses are not covered under warranty, but the good news is that Sunski sells new lenses that easily snap into the frame for less than $20. Sure, there are cheaper options out there, but still, when you compare this to the price of a cheap pair of sunglasses that you’re pretty much guaranteed to immediately scratch up and then have to buy a new pair, this is a bargain. In the end, they’re cheaper and better for the environment.

Price Point

Sunski sunglasses run anywhere between $30-$100 with the Dipsea’s sitting around $60 when not on sale. For me, this is a great price point for high-quality polarized sunglasses. Sure, you could buy a new pair of gas station sunglasses for $10, but those will just get scratched and you end up throwing them away almost as quickly as you bought them.

They’re much less expensive than other premium sunglass companies, but you get a lot more bang for your buck than gas station sunglasses. Plus, as someone who tends to lose or break every nice thing I buy, I don’t think I could buy sunglasses that cost more than $100.

Final Thoughts

I rave about my Sunski Dipsea sunglasses to anyone who even mentions sunglasses. They’re high quality, made out of recycled material, and with their lifetime warranty, you don’t have to worry about actually using them. Take them climbing, on your next bike ride, road trip, or ski tour. Not only do they stay on your face securely, but if they did fall off and break or get scratched, you can buy new lenses to avoid throwing away a perfectly good pair of sunglasses.

They’re affordable, they look great, and they get the job done.

See Sunski Dipsea Sunglasses on Amazon

See Sunski Dipsea Sunglasses on Sunski

See Sunski Dipsea Sunglasses on Rei

Plano is well-respected in the angler world for building quality and innovative gear at reasonable prices. The Plano 7771-01 Guide Series Tackle System is no different. They’ve taken the classic tackle box design and given it a thoughtful upgrade. While the carry method and general tackle box benefits like visibility and compactness are all there, this product offers vast storage space and a modular storage system that can custom fit your gear and needs.

The test

I tested this product on a fishing trip with my father to Braunig Lake. We had lots of gear to test and compare. We hauled all our gear between the Plano Tackle System and the SpiderWire Wolf Tackle Bag. We fished with live bait but still brought plenty of tackle and hooks to build our own rigs. When preparing the box the night before, our pre-filled clear tackle boxes didn’t fit into the slots, so we had to move some things over into the four included boxes. Additionally, the product comes with dividers for the upper storage section. I found the dividers hard to separate and work with due to the tabs on the ends, which caused some frustration in the setup. They needed to be carefully trimmed with scissors and then placed in particular locations to be functional.

While I’m more of a tackle bag person, my dad fell head over heels for the Plano Guide Series Tackle System. It seems it was the tackle box of his dreams. You can see through the translucent lid to view what’s in the upper storage compartment (a must for him), and there’s some wonderfully spacious storage in the right-side storage compartment. That section is deep, allowing for tool storage and larger items. My dad likes to be able to see all his gear because if it’s not right in front of his face, it doesn’t really exist, and that’s why he will never veer away from the classic tackle box.

The fold-down door on the front of the box makes for easy access to the four slide-out clear tackle boxes. Don’t pull out too many boxes at once, though, or you’ll tip over the whole thing! The plastic construction is water-resistant, and there are no metal pieces to rust when exposed to water. The over-molded plastic handle was easy to hold and ergonomic.

The buy

I ended up letting my dad hold onto this tackle box since he was so enamored with it and he was delighted. He has since used it several more times with no issues whatsoever. If you’d like your own Plano 7771-01 Guide Series Tackle System, the MSRP is $109.99, but many outdoor and online retailers offer a discount.

See Plano 7771 Guide Series Tackle Box on Amazon

See Plano 7771 Guide Series Tackle Box on Walmart

See Plano 7771 Guide Series Tackle Box on Bass Pro

Fishing pliers are a must-have piece of gear. Pliers aren’t only for removing hooks but can cut lines, help with split rings, and much more. One of my favorite pairs of fishing pliers is the Booms Fishing X1 Aluminum Fishing Pliers because of their well-balanced weight, versatility, and features.

When I first pulled these out of the box, I loved the color first and foremost. I attached the sheath to the pliers via the included braided metal coiled lanyard and stored them on the side of my tackle box. The next day, I headed to Braunig Lake to fish with my dad. We used these pliers to remove hooks from fish so we could finish preparing them for dinner, build rigs, and cut lines when loading our reels.

Features on features

My favorite element of this tool is the excellent weight distribution. Neither end is too heavy and allows for excellent dexterity along the 7.8in tool. The contoured finger inlays allow for additional grip, especially when working with large fish or tough jobs. The handle end is all aluminum and the business end is stainless steel, creating a balance of weight and durability where it’s needed. Weighing in at a mere .3lbs, they are nimble and lightweight. The aluminum is also rust-resistant, making these acceptable for both fresh and saltwater use.

On the nose of these pliers is a split ring tool, increasing the versatility. Also, on the business end of the Booms there is a crimp sleeve and a crimp split lead, and lastly, line cutters. The line cutters are capable of cutting braided lines, monofilament lines, and fluorocarbon lines.

The buy

If you’re ready to add the Booms Fishing X1 Aluminum Fishing Pliers to your angling arsenal, you can order them through Amazon.com or direct through Booms Fishing at an MSRP of $19.99.

See Booms Fishing X1 Aluminum Fishing Pliers on Amazon

See Booms Fishing X1 Aluminum Fishing Pliers on Walmart

Everyone knows the classic tackle box, and if you've ever fished, you have probably used one. While these products are effective and allow you to see everything you need at once, they can be difficult to carry and generally quite cumbersome. The SpiderWire Wolf Tackle Bag doesn't offer the same visibility as a tackle box, but for those who can remember where they put things, it offers an excellent alternative to the tackle box that is easy to use, carry, and travel with.

Gone fishin'

How better to test fishing gear than to go fishing? While visiting Texas, my dad and I hit the bait shop for live bait and rolled on over to Braunig Lake in Central Texas, our tackle all stored in the SpiderWire Wolf Tackle Bag. When packing the bag the night before, we noticed a few things. The large zipper pocket doesn't quite open all the way, which could make accessing your gear difficult if it was full. Thankfully, this wasn't a problem for us. We were able to fit four small tackle boxes in the interior. I like the tackle bag style as it's much easier to carry, but you have to remember where all your gear is. My dad prefers the tackle box style since he can't remember where he puts anything.

A solid build

Aside from the main interior pocket, there are two zippered storage pockets on the front, an additional one on the side, and storage in the bag's main flap. Lastly, there's a mesh pocket on the back of the bag, perfect for flat and smaller items like keys, or a wallet. My favorite storage compartment was the open-top pocket on the right side which made the perfect place for essentials that need to be accessed easily, like pliers and rags. The array of storage options made organization easy.

While I didn't try to beat this bag down, the 1680 denier polyester and PVC exterior seems tough as nails and showed no wear except for a bit of dirt. The padded shoulder strap made it easy to carry, which I enjoyed much more than a single handle on a tackle box. To help the bag hold its shape, the bottom is molded so that the product doesn't collapse on itself and stays sturdy and upright, which was helpful on the uneven truck bed and ground.

A couple of bonus features that I didn't use included fishing line dispensers and tool holders on the front pockets. The fishing line dispenser is found on the side of the bag, near the top. Once you've threaded your spool, you're ready to go. Additionally, some holsters adorn the front two zippered pockets for additional fishing pliers or multi-tools.

The buy

The SpiderWire Wolf Tackle Bag is available on Amazon or at several online and in-person fishing and outdoor stores. The MSRP for this product is $49.99, and it boasts a 38.8L carry capacity. I loved using this product and enjoyed it as an alternative to the traditional tackle box. All in all, I would give it four out of five stars.

See Spiderwire Wolf Tackle Box on Amazon

Every skier knows about or has experienced the dreaded screaming barfies. It's when your hands get too cold, then warm up too fast, and it feels like you want to barf and scream at the same time. It's wickedly unpleasant but also easily avoided. A quality pair of ski gloves can make your mountain day significantly more comfortable and keep your hands guarded against the elements.

My favorite skiing glove is the Black Diamon Spark Angel Finger Glove. Black Diamond makes products in nearly two dozen categories for skiers, climbers, hikers, and generally outdoorsy folks.

No screaming, no barfing

After my first case of the screaming barfies, I became hellbent on finding the perfect glove for my poor, cold hands. Quality gear makes a big difference for long mountain days. After trying the gloves of friends and piles of research, I settled on the Spark Angel Finger Glove due to the dexterity of the split-finger construction, the warmth the gloves provide, and the waterproof insert. I've been able to adjust my skis and bindings and secure ski boots without ever having to expose my poor fingers to the cold.

Versatility when you need it

One of my favorite things about this ski glove is its versatility. It was designed with enough dexterity for backcountry transitions but warm enough for chilly chair lift rides in the resort or long endurance days on cross country skis. The goat leather shell can take a beating from trees and tough terrain, while the BD Dry insert keeps those fingers toasty. I also love the added brow wipe on the back of the thumb. That feature comes in handy when your nose won't stop running from the cold or when you're sweaty from shredding at the park.

I use the gloves for all types of ski days, sledding, general snow enjoyment, and anytime I'm in cold weather. This glove has lasted two full winters of wear with me, and they show no signs of dying this upcoming season either.

The buy

These gloves are available directly from Black Diamond or any authorized retailers for the MSRP of $89.95. I recommend this option for resort and backcountry skiers alike as they are plenty durable and excellent for long days. I do recommend following their website size chart closely as I ordered the wrong size my first go around!

See Black Diamond Spark Angel Finger Ski Gloves on Black Diamond

See Black Diamond Spark Angel Finger Ski Gloves on EVO

I never thought I'd be a ski lift operator. Growing up in the flattest part of the country, the job opportunity of being a liftie had seemingly passed me by. But then, COVID happened and I found myself raking ramps at Lee Canyon, just outside Las Vegas. While I was there, The North Face Apex+ gave me everything I wanted from a ski glove.

While I shoveled and raked snow, scanned passes, and bumped chairs, the Apex+ gloves kept my hands warm, dry, and nimble. It's worth noting that I am not a cold-weather person. I zip up the down jacket and put on the beanie as soon as the thermometer breaks 60°F. Daunted as I was by working in below-freezing temps, the Apex+ gave me instant confidence to brave the cold.

The thing I liked most about the gloves was that they kept my hands warm and dry without bulk. Compared to the bulky loft of a typical ski glove, the Apex+ was just a glove, a supple layer between me and the snow, tight-fitting but not constricting.

That said, the fit also impressed me. My hands are small but stout. During years of rock climbing, my stubby fingers have been repeatedly called "sausages." Men's gloves are almost always too big, but women's gloves are usually too tight in every dimension. The size small Apex+ fit just right, with fingers short enough that I could actually use the smartphone index fingertip, and just enough stretch to feel comfortable. I also found the palm width just right, and the cuff never felt loose.

Surprisingly, using tools with metal handles never made my hands cold. Neither did wind, and snow ingress was not an issue. Even though the Apex+ didn't have cuff closure, they fit and stretched well enough to keep snow away from my skin, even when wiping out. And I never noticed that the wind cut through them, even when the sun sank over the horizon and temps dropped.

The North Face Apex+ may not be your typical ski glove. But as a (temporary) snow sports worker, they checked all the boxes. I don't work in the field anymore, but I'll be sure to pack them next time I go snowboarding.

See The North Face Apex+ Ski Gloves on Amazon

See The North Face Apex+ Ski Gloves on REI

See The North Face Apex+ Ski Gloves on Moosejaw

When the weather gets bad, you’re often left with one of two choices: wear a goofy-looking rubber boot that will keep your feet dry but will feel horribly out of place when you get to where you’re going (rubber boots in a coffee shop are a terrible icebreaker on a blind date) or wear some fancy kicks that will look great but will leave your socks soaked. If you want to look good but don’t want to make that noticeable “squish squish” sound when you walk through Target, you’re going to want a rain boot that’s got a bit of style. This is where the Palladium Pampa Cuff WP Lux rain boot comes in handy.

Testing & review of the Palladium Pampa Cuff Rain Boot

Looking more like a fashion or motorcycle boot than a rain boot, the Palladium Pampa Cuff WP Lux sports an outer made of waterproof oiled nubuck leather that’s held together with sealed seams and waterproof stitching.

During long walks through crappy weather, the nubuck leather was totally waterproof. Tromping through puddles and walking through the rain was no problem for the boot. I even blasted the boots with a sustained stream from a hose when the sun was out, and zero moisture made it inside the boot.

In addition, the soft microfiber collar added a touch of comfort to the boots and gave them a soft feel. This went for the sole as well. The EVA sponge midsole provides plenty of cushioning during long walks, and the molded rubber outsole was a great combination of flexibility and support.

The durability was a plus too. The leather wore in and got softer with time, and instead of showing wear, the boots only looked more stylish over time. In fact, they were so tough during walks that they started doubling as my motorcycle boots when I rode around town. The sneaker feel and boot-like durability made them perfect for my daily bike commute.

Part of that durability is due to the rubber toe cap, which protects the boot’s toe from anything you may walk through (as well as my motorcycle’s shifter lever). In addition to providing a bit more protection, this toe cap also gives the boot a sneaker look. It looks a bit like a burlier version of Converse high-tops, which definitely suits my vibe.

The only real ding was that while the boot totally locked moisture out, the full leather upper didn’t breathe well. Zero water got in, but the boots also didn’t let any sweat out, either. The breathability and heat ventilation weren’t as much of an issue when the weather was lousy, but I got some seriously sweaty feet during long walks in warm weather.

Conclusion and availability

It’s hard to beat the combination of style, waterproofing, and comfort that you get with Palladium's Pampa Cuff WP Lux rain boot (MSRP $155). You get the sneaker look and feel combined with the durability of a boot. If it had burlier outsole lugs, they’d be in contention as a solid hiking boot as well.

I found the only problem with them was the breathability since the leather upper doesn’t provide much venting. But for foul weather, these rain boots are an excellent choice.

They’re available in men’s sizes 6.5 through 14, women’s sizes 5 through 11, and various colors.

Pros

• Price
• Style
• Comfort
• Durability
• Weather-resistance

Cons

• Limited breathability

Features

• EVA midsole for support and comfort
• Rust-resistant steel eyelets
• Padded cuff and tongue
• Waterproof oiled nubuck leather upper

See Palladium Pampa Cuff WP Lux Rain Boots For Men on Amazon

See Palladium Pampa Cuff WP Lux Rain Boots For Men on Walmart

See Palladium Pampa Cuff WP Lux Rain Boots For Men on Zappos

MUTOCAR's air quality monitor is a straightforward appliance that delivers basic air quality data. The compact unit scans for six common household air pollutants and displays the level of each on an easy-to-read LCD screen. The monitor neither stores information nor connects to an app — it simply reads and displays data, refreshing every second or so.

During testing, the device showed consistent enough results to satisfy me, and it correctly indicated air that was obviously polluted.

Usage & Reading

Using the Mutocar air quality monitor is a lot easier than repeatedly typing its apparently random seven-letter brand name. It measures six different pollutants: Formaldehyde (or HCHO), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), carbon monoxide and dioxide (CO and CO2), and various dust, spore, and pollen micro–particles (PM2.5 and PM10). It does not read radon, which will be acceptable to some.

With the data it receives, it generates a mean value, expressed in ppm, and indicates the level of air pollution as green (good), yellow, red (less severe), or red (more severe).

The instruction booklet explains each pollutant further, with occasionally amusing broken English. Example: “Fine particles are also called fine particles, fine particles, PM2.5.” Suffice it to say, you’ll have to do some work on your own if you really want to know more about these common household air pollutants.

But I digress. Take the air quality monitor out of the box, push the power button, and it’s ready to go. Because it has no connectivity features, it requires no further setup. You will have to wait for it to calibrate — within 30 seconds, mine showed a CO2 reading of 9000+ on my desk, which maxed out the digits on the unit’s screen and triggered the red indicator for most severe pollution.

Of course, this wasn’t accurate. By evening, the red-light readings had cooled down, and the indicator pointed to green.

Testing Results

After it functioned operably for a few days on my desk, I moved the device around my apartment to test its efficacy. It didn’t raise my eyebrows nor display any massive changes anywhere except in the most unsurprisingly polluted areas.

This air quality monitor only claims to work indoors, so I tested it in three places after moving it from my office: first in my living room, then near some house plants in the kitchen, and finally on top of my cat’s litter box, which is — sometimes regrettably — right next to the toilet.

Readings were totally unremarkable in the living room and near the plants, with one exception — the monitor read high CO2 near the house plants. I thought this was incongruous until I considered that the monitor could be reading the CO2 that the plants were drawing toward themselves.

I knew the cat box would be the true test. I put the monitor right on top of the lidded apparatus, closed the door of the tiny bathroom for an hour or so (at no harm to my feline friend). When I checked back, sure enough, TVOC (total volatile organic compounds) and HCHO (naturally occurring formaldehyde) levels were through the roof.

Air Quality Monitor Review

My experiment was not perfect because I had no additional testing equipment or control group. The most direct test, breathing into the sensor, did raise CO2 levels, but I didn’t have another monitor to test the unit against. The lack of a comparable setup was partially due to setup duration: other monitors have set-up periods up to a week, where the HYVQDNM takes just minutes.

Still, I considered this air quality monitor a simplistic, helpful device for tracking everyday pollutants around the house. I’m curious to see what it reads during wildfire season when smoke sometimes gathers and stagnates outside (and in) my apartment in the Las Vegas valley.

At an MSRP of $65, it’s a useful tool that’s simple enough for your grandparents or kids.

See the MUTOCAR Portable Air Quality Monitor on Walmart

In the crowded pack of air quality monitors, Airthings' Wave Plus air quality monitor stands out for its discreet appearance and its ability to read indoor radon levels. Believe it or not, statistics show that radon poisoning kills up to twice as many Americans as drunk driving per year (sources below).

The Airthings Wave Plus delivers radon levels and several other air quality indicators at a glance on its associated app. The smart home device is the size and shape of a smoke detector. I set up the Wave Plus in my Las Vegas valley apartment to find out which air pollutants were floating around my space. Overall, its performance was consistent and helpful, despite a couple of drawbacks.

Wave Plus Air Quality Monitor Operation

The Airthings Wave Plus comes out of the box ready to use, with AA batteries included. Once you've fired it up, download the Airthings Wave app to your Android or iOS device and follow the simple setup instructions (note: app-based device setups irritate me easily, but this one was unabrasive).

Once setup is complete, the device needs 7 days to calibrate. That's a long calibration period by industry standards, and it was a little inconvenient in my case. My bigger complaint is based on principle: Don't we all like to rip open a new toy and play with it right out of the box? The good news is that the monitor still measures air quality during its setup period.

The Wave Plus was fully dialed after 7 days. There were two ways to access air quality information. 1) Wave my hand over the device itself, which triggers the green, yellow, or red glow ring for quick reading. 2) Open the app to access details.

The Airthings Wave Plus measures six indoor air quality criteria: radon (rn), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), CO2, humidity, temperature, and air pressure. The device's ability to measure radon differentiates it from other IAQ monitors. The app uses line graphs to deliver historical IAQ data to the user (other functions are available — more on those shortly).

I was satisfied with the device's findings and the app connectivity. However, for me, the glow ring feature was useless. In my apartment, the Airthings Wave Plus showed a good or moderate level for every measured metric except humidity — which, as one might guess, is categorically low here in the desert. Because my air was always in the red zone for humidity, the ring always glowed red. Eventually, this led me to stop paying attention to it. What was the point? I knew my air was dry, and I didn't care.

Perhaps this is a personal or a niche gripe. After all, excess humidity can facilitate mold growth, etc. However, the Wave Plus notably does not measure particulate matter (PM1, 2.5, or 10), which is another way to indicate airborne mold spores.

Features and Connectivity

The Airthings Wave Plus is compatible with the IFTTT (If This, Then That) app, which lets users set notifications based on specific criteria. Let's say your home environment contains many VOCs (see below for more information from the EPA), and you'd like to remediate it. In that case, you could set up IFTTT to send you a notification when your Wave Plus reads a certain level of VOCs. The function could help users get a better idea of pollution levels throughout the day, which often fluctuates.

Users can also use the Wave Plus app as a hub for multiple devices, which is helpful for those who want to monitor air quality in specific places inside their homes.

Finally, the device is compatible with Amazon Alexa.

Airthings Wave Plus Review Conclusions

At $230, the Airthings Wave Plus is a category-unique home radon detector. If you want to measure your home's radon levels, your alternative is a mail-order test kit, which necessitates waiting for mail-in results.

The Airthings Wave Plus sacrifices other common home IAQ monitor features, notably a display and the ability to measure particulate matter and carbon monoxide. But its associated app and strong connectivity let users monitor their air quality over time and customize their experience. Its onboard glow ring function proved too rudimentary to be useful, but the unobtrusive unit delivered measurable results.

See the Airthings Wave Plus Air Quality Monitor on Amazon

See the Airthings Wave Plus Air Quality Monitor on Walmart

Sources:

1. Drunk Driving - NHTSA
2. Health Risk of Radon - EPA
3. Indoor Pollutants and Sources - EPA

When winter strikes we know to protect our bodies with coats and our necks with scarves, but what about our ears? Ear warmers are critical for keeping your ears warm during cold weather or while skiing, running, and more. Recently, I tested the 180s American Wool Ear Muffs in the Pacific Northwest winter and walked away a huge fan.

The 180s American Wool behind-the-ear ear warmers are a warm, comfortable ear muff that boasts a low profile and an easy-to-use click-to-fit frame. The behind-the-ear design saves you from hat hair and stays low profile for everyday wear.

Testing & review: Impressive warmth and staying power

I tried out these 180s American Wool ear-warmers for runs, skiing, and other activities. The Sherpa fleece lining with Primaloft and wool shell makes this product so incredibly warm that my ears often overheated, which speaks volumes about the warming ability loaded into such a small package.

I wore them on snowy Mount Hood, where the temperature was in the 20°F range. There I used them while walking around the historic Timberline Lodge and sledding down a hill. I have a lot of hair, and when it was down, it was hard even to see the ear warmers frame, which meant they were secure against my head. Even when flying off the sled after hitting a bump, these earmuffs only slightly moved. I was genuinely impressed by their staying power, which is enhanced by the snap-to-fit band that adjusts by either pulling or pushing on the band.

Collapsible and portable

One of the best features of the 180s is portability. The earmuffs collapsed easily, which made them compact and easy to take anywhere. The ear warmers ended up in pockets, the side of the car door, a car center console, and a backpack or two. The earpieces stack in front of the band and allow them to tuck down compactly enough anywhere, including an already full bag.

180s American Wool Ear Muffs buy

To purchase the 180s American Wool Winter Ear Muffs, hit the button below, where you can get a pair in seven different colors.

My favorite style was the brown wool herringbone; I found it matched well with my outfits, and I enjoyed the herringbone pattern as it was discreet while remaining classically stylish. These ear warmers boast an MSRP of $35, but you can often find them for less through 180s partners.

See 180s American Wool Behind-the-Head Ear Warmer on Amazon

See 180s American Wool Behind-the-Head Ear Warmer on Walmart

When trying to wear a ponytail and a headband, you often settle with your ponytail uncomfortably high or low, or you commit to adjusting your headband over and over. As your headband shifts, it will move your ponytail resulting in an ever-changing hairdo that becomes distracting as you run or hike. TrailHeads decided to do something about it. It created the TrailHeads Ponytail Headband, a contoured headband that acts as an ear warmer, holds your hair back, and has an opening for a comfortable low ponytail.

Test & review: Comfortable stretch, all day wear

This TrailHeads Ponytail Headband comes with a four-way stretch to fit over any head. When I added my ponytail, I used a hair tie and slid it through the slit for ultimate comfort. I could also gather my hair and let the headband act as the hair tie. I found that the latter method allowed for a bit more movement of the headband while running, but not enough to be a problem.

I have thick, wavy hair that extends nearly to my navel and is generally hard to control even in a ponytail. Because of the length, I typically opt for a high ponytail to keep it off my neck, but the low ponytail position this product demands worked just as well.

When the TrailHeads Ponytail Headband first arrived, I was skeptical of the warmth because it is such a thin band. However, the brushed fleece interior and contour to cover the ears kept them toasty on windy, 30°F runs. Additionally, I took this headband cross-country skiing and found it performed well in the spring snow, too. This band moved between sunny spring days and windy winter days with ease, proving its versatility. However, if it was colder than 30°F, I needed a warmer product.

I got the band very dirty, threw it in the washer, let it air dry, and it felt as good as new. An added bonus was that it kept my wireless headphones snugly in my ears during my runs. I’m always nervous about losing them, and this gave me peace of mind.

The TrailHeads Ponytail Headband buy

Taming your mane with the TrailHeads Ponytail Headband comes at the MSRP of $16. Your purchase comes with free returns or replacements if you aren’t happy with the product, and you can support a small, family business based in Connecticut. TrailHeads tests products on the famed Appalachian Trail, meaning every product is put through rigorous testing before it makes it to your front door.

See TrailHeads Women's Ponytail Ear Warmer on Amazon

See TrailHeads Women's Ponytail Ear Warmer on Walmart

There’s a lot going on with the Otterbox Venture 45 cooler. Are you most interested in its modular mounting system and accessories? Its Born-in-the-USA pedigree? Or Otterbox’s claim that it keeps solid ice for two weeks? No matter what you expect or require out of a cooler, the Otterbox Venture 45 goes above and beyond to deliver it.

Testing the Otterbox Venture 45 delivered some surprising results.

Technical specs

Otterbox’s Venture cooler series comes in three sizes: a 25, 45, or the substantial 65 quart. The 45 will suit most crews with around 20x12x12 inches of internal capacity. It weighs 26 pounds, which is on the upper end of average for the category and capacity.

Anyone who values supporting domestic manufacturing will be pleased to note that Otterbox builds its coolers in a Detroit, MI factory. Durable materials geared toward weight reduction characterize the build: polypropylene shells, polycarbonate latches, and stainless steel hardware.

Two-inch-thick refrigerator-grade insulation lines the cooler. Otterbox claims it can keep solid ice for 14 days. YETI makes no such claim; RTIC claims 10 days. As of this writing, I still hadn't put the claim to the test. However, the cooler did make 42 hot beers cold with only one bag of ice on a sunny Las Vegas afternoon.

If you followed universal cooler tips like pre-chilling your cooler with burner ice before you load it, only loading it with refrigerated items, keeping it in the shade, etc., I have no doubt the Venture 45 would meet your "ice-gevity" (as OtterBox says) expectations.

Cooler review and utility

The dominant search query for 45-quart coolers appears to be “how many beers can it hold?” — which I respect. The answer, for the Venture 45, is 72 or better. The cooler's base alone fits 28 beers upright. I put a 30-rack of Natty Light, a 12-pack of Corona Premier, which is my dad's favorite beer and also comes in the same size can as Truly, White Claw, etc., plus a normal size bag of ice in it with room to spare.

Once I packed and loaded the Venture 45, its anti-slide rubber feet and wide stance gave it a stable base. At one point, I noticed a tester sitting on the cooler, so I offered her a chair. She declined the offer, commenting, "There's no way I'm gonna fall off this thing, no matter how many of these beers I drink!"

An ingenious mounting system helps you add and swap out accessories depending on your adventure demands. Otterbox includes a bottle opener and storage tray with each Venture 45. We added the interior divider and the side table. The side table tested impressively. It has three cup holders, a cutting board that seats into the top, and fits the cooler solidly enough to inspire confidence. Otterbox's modular mounting system is category exclusive, at least among its chief competitors.

My testing team found the latches super easy to operate with one hand. It was easy for us to get in, but it would be a different story for bears. With the (not included) locking system equipped, the Venture 45 is certified bear-resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC), which is really cool from a wildlife ethics standpoint! Check out IGBC’s website to learn more.

Unfortunately, the drain plug was a problem, it just kept dripping. I tightened it as much as I could by hand and eventually resorted to using pliers. With the tool, I was able to lag it down, seemingly without doing any damage to the threads on the plug. There is a gasket in the cap, and I will try to add standard garden hose gaskets on top of it to see if I can solve the issue. If it works, I'll update this article.

I want it to work because the cooler and even the drain plug work great otherwise. Except for the one hiccup, the use was great, and Otterbox even curates the draining process: the cooler's bottom slants toward the drain plug, so I didn't have to tip it to get it fully drained.

Buying the Otterbox Venture 45

As of this writing, you can get the $350 MSRP Otterbox Venture 45 for $245 on the company’s website. A limited lifetime warranty applies.

Happy hunting, or fishing, climbing, water-skiing, rec-league-softball-playing, camping, stargazing, etc.

See the OtterBox Venture Cooler on Amazon

See the OtterBox Venture Cooler on OtterBox

Nixon is known as a watch brand but its accessories and packs are expanding its reputation beyond wristwear. The Hauler 35L is a great example of this, coming as close as we’ve seen to a do-it-all pack.

There are so many things to love about Nixon’s 35L Hauler pack that it’s hard to decide where to begin. Right off the bat, the Hauler sports a cavernous opening that allows full access to whatever you’ve packed, so you don’t have to fish through a tiny top opening to find your earbuds.

The organization is on point

Throughout the interior and exterior of this travel backpack, you'll find plenty of pockets and organizational details that allow type A packers to keep everything in its place and easily accessible. There’s even a small removable mesh pocket on the strap that is perfect for carrying hand sanitizer.

A separate compartment keeps your shoes or dirty clothes separate from the main compartment. There’s also the requisite padded sleeve that’ll fit up to 16-inch laptops.

I used the Hauler on a two-week trip through South America and it was perfect for everything from hiking trails in the Amazon to sprinting through Miami International Airport. The pack fit perfectly in overhead compartments and under airplane seats. The straps, while plentiful, are low-profile enough to prevent snagging when squeezing through tight spaces. And while it’s not listed as a waterproof backpack, the exterior withstood 15 minutes of hard rain during a random downpour without the interior getting wet.

The separate shoe compartment was a godsend, keeping my filthy hiking boots separate from the rest of my stuff after a hike on Cotopaxi, then keeping my dirty hiking clothes from corrupting my neck pillow. Nothing wrecks your in-flight sleep like a pillow that smells like your dirty underwear.

Let's talk about the straps

There are six external straps, two compression side straps, two skateboard straps on the back, and two bottom straps that can fit a sleeping pad. I didn’t take a sleeping pad or board on this trip, but the straps were perfect for throwing a jacket or hoodie on the back.

The side compression straps also did double duty as restrictors for the back panel opening. When the straps were engaged, they limited the zippers so that they only opened the top of the bag, which was perfect for quick access on a plane. At the hotel, I could unbuckle the straps and open the entire back panel to unpack and reorganize.

All the straps are tough enough to sling the bag up into the bed of a truck without tearing, but low-profile enough to not snag on branches during night hikes through the jungle. Also, the two side handles are perfect for grabbing it briefcase-style and hustling out of your window seat to beat the rush to get off your flight first.

As a bonus, the Hauler is made with REPREVE recycled plastics, which means it’s crafted with plastic waste that was pulled out of the ocean. Which seemed oddly appropriate while I was listening to sea lions bark on a beach in the Galapagos with the Hauler.

My experiences with the Hauler have cemented it as my go-to pack for everything from flying halfway around the world to cycling to a local coffeehouse to get some work done. The combination of comfort, organization, and sleek design make it an absolute home run. Plus, at $130, it’s not going to break the bank.

See Nixon Hauler 35L Backpack on Amazon

See Nixon Hauler 35L Backpack on Nixon

SOG is a tactical knife and equipment company for tough guys. The SOG Instinct Mini neck knife is a reflection of those qualities. It’s designed to absorb abuse with a thick, full tang blade, coarse G10 handle scales, and a hard polymer sheath.

I found the knife to be rugged and heavy. Its military inspiration was obvious — user comfort was subordinate to the utility. Though I found SOG’s take on the neck knife to be a little cumbersome for EDC use, its solid build inspired confidence, and it tested well in the field.

Definition and Specs: Neck Knives and the SOG Instinct Mini

A neck knife is a small fixed blade knife worn around the neck on a lanyard attached to a sheath, concealed beneath clothing. Neck knives are EDC tools, often with tactical and self-defense capabilities.

The SOG Instinct Mini is a heavy-duty take on the form. It’s 4.8 inches long and a little heavy for the category at 3.8 oz. (sheath included). The handle scales are G10, which is a hard fiberglass compound. The hard polymer sheath is substantial, with grooved edges, four large lashing slots, and a stout clip that attaches to either side (allowing for left- or right-handed draw). Instead of a parachute-cord lanyard for a necklace, SOG opts for a dog tag chain.

The full tang blade is 4-mm thick with a 1.9-inch edge. It has generous oval-shaped aeration (presumably to dump weight, though it seems to help open bottles). The spine is grooved where my thumb naturally met it. The blade narrows to a relatively tall clip point and a robust cutting edge.

Testing: What Happened

After registering its heavy-duty build, the first thing I noticed about the Instinct Mini was its robust edge. Since the blade is thick but not very tall, its primary grind leaves a lot of material near the edge — which features a fairly high-angle grind.

That doesn’t mean the knife is not sharp: it means it’s less of a precision slicing tool and more of a workhorse. The knife wouldn’t cut a free-hanging sheet of paper smoothly, even when the edge was razor-sharp. However, it did hold its edge well. Intuitively, this is an advantage in an EDC knife that sees heavy use. It’s impractical to have to sharpen your working knife all the time — it seemed to me like the Instinct Mini’s high-angle grinds were SOG’s solution to dulling.

Beyond that, the SOG Instinct Mini is a tank of a knife. It held its own underwood batoning, rope cutting, pruning woody stems up to about 1/8 inch, and bottle opening, requiring little resharpening.

I wasn’t impressed by the knife’s carrying comfort. It felt heavy hanging around my neck, and I never forgot it was there. Removing the clip and replacing the chain with a parachute cord helped some, but it’s the knife itself that’s heavy.

Perhaps worse, it tended to twist on the chain whenever I bent over, and it hung freely. That meant it sometimes hung in a left-handed draw position without me knowing it. Usually, it’s not that big of a deal, but fumbling to draw your knife backward could be a disaster in a self-defense situation.

SOG does advise that carrying the Instinct Mini as a neck knife is optional. Its clip is the main event: it mounts on either side of the sheath and tightens at any position in a full 360-degree circle. It’s a preference setting that shows SOG’s intent on tactical utility.

Review Conclusions: The SOG Instinct Mini

It may not be my favorite neck knife, but the SOG Instinct Mini is a rugged, capable EDC blade. It’s a little heavy, but it’s built for the long haul. I felt satisfied by its quality and utility at MSRP $35.

See SOG Instinct Mini on Amazon

See SOG Instinct Mini on SOG

A good neck knife needs to display two distinct qualities: it should be easy to carry and highly useful. After a lot of experience with EDC (everyday carry) knives that sacrifice one of the two, I tested the CRKT Minimalist Bowie neck knife, which checked both boxes and more. I found the lightweight knife versatile and easy to maintain, and its features made practical sense.

It’s easy to get lost in the EDC knife jungle. At one end of the spectrum, there’s a Swiss Army knife floating around in your pocket that you never use; at the other, you’re cutting down trees and opening safes with a KA-BAR, but everyone’s looking at you like you’re Crocodile Dundee.

The CRKT Minimalist Bowie neck knife proposes a tactical solution.

Definition and Specs: What and How?

A neck knife is a fixed blade knife, often small and worn around the neck on a cord attached to the sheath. The best neck knives conceal easily under a shirt (check the laws in your local area here before you wear one!) and draw quickly for any EDC, tactical, or self-defense purpose.

The CRKT Minimalist Bowie meets the requirements. It’s small, at 5.13 inches long, and light at 2.1 ounces (sheath included). It’s also very flat. I found that unless my shirt was super tight, the knife was undetectable.

The 2.13-inch blade was just long enough to be useful. It easily handled light-duty EDC tasks like opening packages but also worked for batoning wood and opening bottles. Because of its short length, drawing it from under my shirt felt reasonably safe (this is actually an issue: practice drawing your neck knife until you’re confident with it. It’s easy to cut yourself or your shirt, especially if you’re in a hurry to draw).

The full tang blade is dressed with textured thermoplastic handle scales. The riveted sheath is molded from the same material. The plastic was grippy without feeling abrasive, which helped it wear comfortably against bare skin. The 550-cord lanyard with spring stop adjustment had the same effect.

Testing: The CRKT Minimalist Bowie Neck Knife in Action

Wearing a neck knife took some getting used to. So did wearing a baby blue one with a garish sci-fi illustration on the blade. I tested the “Cthulhu” variant of the CRKT Minimalist Bowie, which looks a little more flashy than my personal knife taste usually allows. (If you’re not into the flair, CRKT makes the Minimalist Bowie in more discreet finishes.) However, there’s substance behind the style: the Cthulhu glows in the dark (much like one would imagine a half-human/half-squid, outer-space/underwater alien would)! Maybe it’s kitsch; maybe it’s function — that’s up to you. I thought the feature was cool, and it could potentially be useful in a dark tent or campsite.

It also had zero effect on the knife’s outstanding performance. Carrying the CRKT was easy — I would often forget I was wearing it until I needed it — so I had many chances to test it. After pushing it to the upper limits of neck knife duty (wood splitting, bottle opening, rope cutting), the 5Cr15MoV (mid-grade Chinese) steel edge had barely dulled.

Because of its reasonable price, I felt fine putting it through the kitchen sharpener, which did the job. After sharpening, the knife again cut free-hanging paper without ripping it.

I will eventually take a stone to the CRKT Minimalist Bowie, a) because it might as well be razor-sharp and b) because the tip is still a bit blunted (common in a Bowie knife made of softer steel).

But after over a month of EDC use, I have no complaints about the CRKT Minimalist Bowie neck knife.

Review Conclusions: Everyday Practicality

At MSRP $40 (street price $28), the CRKT Minimalist Bowie neck knife is a quality EDC purchase. It’s comfortable to carry, versatile, and easy to care for. Its short-but-not-too-short blade makes it easy to draw and use, which are important parameters for tactical applications. Finally, its low profile and small footprint help it conceal easily beneath clothing. I plan to keep the knife in my everyday kit — up to and including the arrival of our cephalopod alien overlords.

See CRKT Minimalist Bowie Neck Knife on Amazon

See CRKT Minimalist Bowie Neck Knife on Walmart

See CRKT Minimalist Bowie Neck Knife on BladeHQ

MODL (pronounced maw · dohl) is a modular all-in-one bottle that’s light, packable, exceptionally tough, airtight, and — to borrow from MODL Outdoors cofounder, Justin Guld — it isn’t simply a water bottle, hydration pack, filter bottle, etc. It’s “an entirely new category of gear: the utility bottle.”

The MODL system is adaptable and grounded in the startup's "flexible design philosophy." What might sound like an overly ambitious product is actually an intuitive and conceptually simple multitool that's ideal for the avid outdoor person, casual camper, cyclist, kayaker, trail runner, or work-to-gym professional.

After several weeks of putting it through the wringer, I've found the MODL all-in-one system to be incredibly dexterous, capable, and, in most cases, quite preferable to traditional contenders.

MODL Bottle Complete System, Unboxed

I had the opportunity to try out the MODL Complete system, which combines the base bottle and four function-modifying attachments, or “MODs."

• Go MOD - Includes a silicone sports bottle spout and straw. Turns MODL into your everyday water bottle.
• Flow MOD - 1-meter long straw and unified mouthpiece. Unlocks MODL’s hydration reservoir functionality.
• Pure MOD - An extremely stringent portable water filter that boasts a 790-gallon lifecycle. The 0.1-micron hollow fiber membrane filter removes 99.9% of bacteria and protozoa from any freshwater source at a flow rate of 1 liter per minute. The Pure MOD provides interior and exterior mounting options; interior for on-the-go, exterior for gravity filtration. With it, the MODL is a full-on, go-anywhere water purifier.
• Rinse MOD - A showerhead-like cap that turns the MODL into a portable camping shower and water sprayer.

Also in the box were a set of the company’s new, extra-long SuperLoops and a spare set of LifeLoops. Both loop types are silicone bands that attach to the MOD caps and are key to mounting and securing the bottle “from bag to branch to bike.”

As for the base bottle's construction, imagine a 1-liter widemouthed jar that's made entirely of BPA-free silicone and is open on both ends. Lining each end is a threaded stainless-steel rim for screw-top compatibility with the MOD caps. What you get is a collapsible, hyper-versatile tube that’s modular, open-ended, easy to clean (dishwasher safe, too), and full of ever-evolving potentiality.

At the time of writing, the MODL bottle is available in black, blue, and vapor (translucent) colorways. I received a vapor MODL, and it's the option that I recommend by a mile due to the small host of additional functions a transparent device has to offer (nightlight, trekking-pole mountable lantern, etc.).

Overview of Methods and Mischief

To get a feel for the thing, I decided to swap it out with my trusty old blue insulated water bottle, which has seen years of rugged abuse and dons the most tasteless sticker assortment in all of Austin. I was pretty sure that I’d come back to the old battleax following the review period.

Spoiler alert: I was wrong about that.

The next few weeks found me functionally glued to the MODL bottle. This was largely for the purposes of field research; I wanted to see how versatile the utility bottle really was, what it could withstand, and how applicable it might be at any given time and in any situation.

But the MODL also benefits from playful architecture. The body is 360 degrees of dense, grippy silicone, which gives it a structure that's surprisingly pliable. It looks and feels like something you’d find in the Discovery Store next to the water wobblers and dinosaur K’Nex (read: awesome and loads of fun).

During those 5 weeks and through dozens of applications, the MODL utility bottle proved capable:

• Bikepacking/cycling sport bottle (self-mounting; no bottle cage necessary)
• Camping shower (crude and shortlived but functional)
• Conversation starter
• Devastatingly precise squirt gun
• Dry storage container
• Everyday water bottle
• Filtered water bottle
• Gravity water filter
• Hot water bottle (just like gramma had)
• Hydration reservoir/water bladder
• Improvised dog water bowl
• Lantern/light diffuser for cell phone lights and headlamps (clear colorway only)
• Pillow (surprisingly cush)
• Portable water filter/purifier
• Rinse station

MODL Bottle a la Gravel Bike: The Real Test

After a short familiarization and tinkering phase, it was time to test the MODL complete utility bottle's ilk. First up? A weekend gravel biking tear through the rural hill country.

Go MOD + Pure MOD for on the Road

It was a 3-hour drive from Austin to Llano, a remote area southwest of the capital, so commuting attire was the vibe. I, in my best pairs of joggers and Crocs and the utility bottle, donning its Go MOD sport bottle spout and Pure MOD filter, hit the road dressed for comfort.

The Go MOD spout, which comprises the same high-grade silicone as the body, was something I didn’t know I needed until I had it – taking a swig requires no more than a soft bite and flip of the integrated plug. Easier than unscrewing the saucer-sized caps on polycarbonate bottles and more tooth enamel-friendly than the hard plastic pull-and-push nozzles. And the optional silicone straw means you can sip away while keeping your chin down and eyes on the road.

Flow MOD + SuperLoops for the Gravel Bike

After arriving and setting up camp, it was time for a change. To accommodate my gravel bike's bare frame, I employed MODL's new, extra-long SuperLoops. I swapped the Go MOD out for the meter-long Flow MOD straw to get my hands-free hydration game on. And away I went.

The Flow MOD was especially impressive. The extra-long hose and unified silicone mouthpiece far outpaced the small litany of other hydration packs in my apartment. It proved exceptionally hermetic, and without the funky “new” plastic taste that plagues so many water bladders.

The MODL, even at maximum capacity, didn’t spill a drop, nor did it budge from its original position on the bike’s frame. Which, given the nature of backroads gravel biking, says so much. Using the Flow MOD hose meant I didn't have to pry a bottle from its cage. I've been known to crash while futzing with bike water bottles (what?), so this perk took me from fangirl to brand loyalist.

The only thing that could have improved the ride? A clip system for the straw, maybe. But I'm not entirely sure that would be desirable, and it's not at all necessary.

...Nose MOD? (Pure Filter MOD to the Rescue)

In an email to the fellas at MODL as a follow up to the gravel biking trip, I wrote the following:

I came home with a gnarly sinus infection, and I desperately needed 0.1-micron filtered water for a saline rinse kit.
So...thank you for including the Pure MOD. It totally saved me from running to the store in my sweatpants and Crocs. The general public thanks you, as well. 

Take note — the MODL may come in handy when you least expect it.

Purchasing Information

Given the MODL bottle's dexterity, I imagine we’ll see MODL systems and an ever-expanding arsenal of MODs at local and national adventure retailers in fairly short order. For now, MODL Outdoors is a direct-to-consumer seller.

Over at the shop, MODL Outdoors has more than a few options on deck:

• MODL Complete, MSRP $95
  Includes: 1 MODL Bottle, 2 LifeLoops, 2 caps, 4 MODs (Go, Flow, Rinse, + Pure)
• MODL Bottle,  MSRP $40
  Includes: 1 MODL Bottle, 2 LifeLoops, 2 caps
• Go + Flow MODs, $35
  Includes: 1 Go MOD, 1 Flow MOD, 1 multi-MOD cap, 1 straw, 1 LifeLoop
• Pure MOD Filter, $25
  Includes: 1 Pure MOD (3,000-cycle filter), small silicone straw adapter
• Rinse MOD Cap, $15
• LifeLoops (x 4), $5
• SuperLoops^TM (x 2) , $12

Tapping Out

The MODL utility bottle and system is truly a fun, creative, modular contrivance — a product that takes after its founders, I've found. Apart from occasionally wishing that there were a few more loop configurations and lengths available and maybe a standard cupholder adapter, there's not much constructive criticism I can offer. They'd probably just take it and patent it into another MOD anyway.

MODL Outdoors is a young, footprint-focused, vivacious, well-intentioned, and innovative startup. It's made up of three outdoorsy dudes who took the time to craft a nuanced, flexible solution to gear shortcomings. Nothing is set in stone, you know. Just because we've done something one way for X amount of time doesn't mean that a better approach isn't out there. The MODL crew went with the flow and created something pretty mega in doing so — an adaptable, ever-evolving line of durable, multipurpose gear.

In this contributor's humble opinion, the MODL may very well be the biggest thing to happen to the outdoor gear world in recent history. You can bet I'm staying tuned for whatever MODL Outdoors does next.

See MODL Filtered Water Bottle with Pure MOD Filter on MODL Outdoors

QINGYUN’s tactical belt turns in a strong overall performance. It exists firmly at the heavy-duty end of the hiking belt spectrum and it proved durable and capable during testing. The fit was comfortable, and the substantial buckle was easy to operate. Its wide nylon strap satisfied my expectations and was pliable enough to contour to my waist.

Heavy-duty but affordable, the $13 QINGYUN tactical belt should satisfy users who need a strong belt with a lot of attachment capacity. I identified a couple of minor issues and a clear weak point, but they weren't major issues in the field.

QINGYUN Tactical Belt characteristics

In the size small, the QINGYUN tactical belt is 45 inches long (tip of the buckle to tip of the tail). The nylon is 1.44 inches wide (a hair narrower than the claimed 1.5 inches).

The buckle is a robust variation on a typical side-release style in forged alloy and brass. The bulk of the buckle is a black-coated alloy. No further information on the material is available, though it feels significantly heavier than aluminum. The catch/release levers on the receiver side are brass. The engagement side is a ladder lock with an insert to help grab the belt material.

This insert is the QINGYUN belt’s obvious weak point: it seems to comprise fairly light-duty metal and it’s riveted on. Incredibly, the belt is marked for a 24kN tensile force limit when it’s buckled. As a rock climber who’s relatively experienced in kilonewton forces, this claim seems outright ludicrous.

For obvious reasons, I didn’t take it climbing, clip into it, and then fall-test it. Instead, I tested the belt as a belt.

Test findings

First of all, the QINGYUN tactical belt is long. If you have about a 30-inch waist, you’ll wind up with about a foot and a half of tail. But cutting or hot-knifing it to length shouldn’t be an issue.

Immediately, I was unsatisfied with the way the buckle rode. The problem was that when I fed the material through the ladder lock, it made the buckle stand out from my waist. I thought it would break in, but no dice. A few hikes later, I took it off, threaded the buckle according to the length I wanted, and put a dumbbell on it to flatten it. This attempt worked marginally well to mitigate the problem.

My main concern was that the belt would slip or creep. I had a feeling that the material wouldn’t catch in the ladder lock, and the belt would slowly loosen while I hiked. However, this wasn’t the case. The relatively smooth nylon caught well in the ladder lock, and the sliding insert helped its bite.

Overall, the belt wore very comfortably. It was nearly impossible to adjust while I had it on, but I expected that. It was heavy, so I wouldn’t consider wearing it for climbing or any other sport where gear weight is critical. But the pliable nylon contoured to my waist and I never noticed any discomfort while hiking.

QINGYUN claims the buckle is scratch-resistant, but I scratched it. Granted, I hike pretty abrasively, regularly scrambling over car-sized boulders and threading my way around desert plants.

The belt comes with a couple of MOLLE-style attachments and it’s substantial enough to handle a lot of accessories: a hydration attachment, holster, etc.

Review conclusions

The QINGYUN tactical belt is more than solid as a hiking belt. It could be useful on longer missions with its versatile attachment capability, but interested parties should take its relatively high weight and difficult on-the-fly adjustability into consideration.

My only long-term concern is that if the rivet attaching the grille to the ladder lock breaks, your only choices are to improvise and repair the belt or trash it.

But at $13 MSRP, it’s hard to go wrong.

See QINGYUN Tactical Hiking Belt on Amazon

Fairwin’s Ratchet Web Belt does a little bit of everything. With a ratcheting buckle design mounted on a coarse nylon belt, it’s functional on the trail but manages low-key cool for casual wear. I’ve worn many hiking belts and the Fairwin felt unique.

Unfortunately, it might not belong in my permanent rotation due to a couple of minor quality snags. Nonetheless, it impressed me by managing some differentiation in a saturated category.

Fairwin facts: Hiking belt anatomy

Fairwin’s novel ratcheting buckle uses a progress capture system. As the user feeds the belt’s tail through the buckle, a spring-loaded cam captures progress. The tail feeds underneath the belt, making it “invisible.”

The belt itself is a 1 5⁄16” wide (or just over 1.25”) strip of heavy woven nylon with deep vertical ribs. The ribs help the cam hold the belt wherever the user wants it. They may also be what adds rigidity to the material. In my test sample, the material was stout, and its edges were firm.

To release the Fairwin Ratchet Web Belt, the user pulls a discreet lever on the bottom edge of the buckle. This motion disengages the cam and the user pulls the belt’s tail free.

That’s all there is to the theory; here’s how it worked in practice.

Review findings

As I said, I found the Fairwin Ratchet Web Belt rigid. Right out of the box, it was impressively stiff. I thought this would lead to discomfort but it was never too noticeable. My size-small belt was 40” long (measured from the end of the buckle to the tip of the tail).

First impressions, other than the material’s rigidity, were that I found the ratcheting action pleasing. As the belt passes through it, the cam clicks along mechanically, like a good socket wrench. It’s not only a cool tactile effect, I also found the cam super effective. It made the belt easy to put on and take off, and micro-adjustments in either direction were equally simple.

The belt also never crept. At first, I thought the release lever might occasionally catch on my pants or get awkwardly forced open as I high-stepped over trail obstacles. But I didn’t experience this under any circumstances.

The Fairwin Ratchet Web Belt wasn’t noticeably heavy and it looked cool no matter where I wore it. Unfortunately, the buckle scratched easily (as seen in photos), so it won’t belong in my casual rotation. But I hike pretty abrasively, often scrambling over rocks or slithering through the undergrowth. A more casual hiker should be able to wear the belt as a reliable crossover.

My final complaint is that the belt had a weird tendency to turn outward at the top in the back. This happened no matter how snugly I wore it and was problematic for anything I carried on my back, which would invariably catch the belt’s top edge.

Differentiation, analysis, pricing of the Fairwin Ratchet Web Belt

At the end of the day, the Fairwin Ratchet Web Belt is a unique idea with promising crossover potential and moderate execution. It achieves uncommon utility as a hiking belt because of its easy adjustment and its resistance to slip. With its understated style, it also belongs at cocktail hour. However, a couple of minor issues hold it back from an elite performance in either category.

Fairwin lists the ratchet web belt at $26 MSRP. At the time of writing, Amazon listed the belt at $10 to $14. It comes in five sizes and several colors.

See Fairwin Ratchet Hiking Belt on Amazon

Hurricane lanterns and oil lamps might seem outdated or vintage, but these lights have many modern applications. The Dietz #76 Original Oil Burning Lantern is a long-burning oil lamp that is weather-resistant, versatile, and easy to use.

Few lighting options today require exactly zero use of electricity. Rechargeable lamps need power sources to charge. Candles generally have low light output. Solar sources aren't dependable during winter months or overcast conditions.

And while oil lamps require users to have some specific knowledge, they provide exceptional light output and boast long burn times. Oil lamps also make for excellent outdoor lighting for backyards or patios, and they are handy tools for camping or fishing trips.

The Dietz oil lamp: Ready, set, light

When I first popped the Dietz #76 Original Oil Lantern out of the box, it was easy to unwrap, and instructions were tucked right into the handle. It took all of 20 minutes from the time it landed on my doorstep until it was alight in my backyard. All it took to get this little red sports car of an oil lamp up and running was some kerosene and a few minutes for the wick to saturate.

Typically, I would let the wick saturate for 10 to 15 minutes. On this occasion, I wanted to see how the Deitz #76 compared to my other, older lanterns, so I let the wick soak only for as long as it took me to fill the other lanterns with kerosene.

As is the case with the Deitz #76 — or any oil lamp, for that matter — it's advisable to fill the tank no more than 70% or 80% of capacity. Limiting the amount of fuel to this range is the best way to prevent fuel spills or leaks.

A backyard showdown

The first experiment I ran with this little red lantern was a quick test against the two secondhand lanterns that we use to light our backyard during fires and outdoor cookouts. In general, the Deitz #76 oil lamp was exceptionally brighter than the other two. The flame was also shockingly stable — even as I ran, moved, and jumped around the backyard with the lantern in hand. It is also worth noting that it was a relatively windy night in Portland, with temperatures hovering just above freezing. A few quick jumps quickly extinguished the flame of the other lanterns.

Over the next few days, I lit all three of my lanterns each night in the backyard as we gathered around the fire or enjoyed the hot tub. As can be expected, the lantern's globe became a bit foggy with soot after some use. But this barely lowered the Deitz #76's light output and was not as severe as the fog that accumulated on the globes of my other lanterns.

I found that carrying the Dietz lantern with the flame burning at maximum height resulted in higher soot output, a test which also landed some of the soot on my hand. You can lower the soot output by reducing the flame height, which is easy to achieve thanks to the responsive burner knob. Another option is to fuel the lantern with lamp oil instead — a source that burns cleaner than kerosene.

Overall, all the backyard testing proved this lantern to be quite a step above the rest. The Dietz #76 oil lamp provided stable lighting, long burn times (8 ounces of fuel yields 11 to 12 hours of steady light), and bright output.

The buy

So, you need emergency lighting, a camping light, or just an excellent lantern for your backyard and the Dietz #76 sounds like a winner. What do you do now? You head over to Amazon and snatch one, or a few, up for yourself and your closest friends. The fire engine red option is available for $28.

Make sure you feel comfortable operating any oil lamp before attempting to do so and always follow the manufacturer's usage recommendations.

To learn more about how oil lanterns work and how to operate yours safely, head on over to our Oil Lamp Buying Guide. There you'll also find various technical insights, features to look for, and answers to frequently asked questions.

See Dietz #76 Oil Lamp on Amazon

See Dietz #76 Oil Lamp on Walmart

On Tuesday, February 22, three ski mountaineers captured the first descent of the east face of Mt. Ethelbert (3,180m) in Canada's Purcell mountain range.

First ski descent of Mt. Ethelbert's east face

Mark Herbison, Christina Lustenberger, and Sam Smoothy began their trek from the 1,200m mark in early morning conditions that Lusternberger described as frigid but ideal.

"Alpine low of -30," she wrote, "ridge winds east 15km. But splitter." Elevation and exposure gain ultimately rendered a -40°C windchill. Smoothy later said it was "the coldest day of my life."

Herbison and Lustenberger had previously attempted the route a week earlier but intractable fog socked them in at the summit, and forced a bail.

The ascending line trended up the peak's west face. They started by taking snowmobiles to the Templeton Lake trailhead, then broke a new trail to the base of the wall. Mountain photographer Jamie Tanner posted up on an adjacent ridge, documenting their effort via drone.

Instant frostnip

The team summited Mt. Ethelbert at 1:30 pm, amid high winds.

"Instantly Mark and Sam had frostnip on their faces," Lustenberger reported.

Looking down from the top, they found perfect snowpack for skiing. They proceeded to cruise down Mt. Ethelbert's east face, dividing the descent into three pitches. Per Lustenberger's report:

Mark dropped first, leaving billowing snow in his tracks. We skied the face in three pitches, yo-yoing leads while Jamie reset the drone to capture the descent.

Skiing out the bottom and into the windless sun was a quick break from the chilly shade. We transitioned and [started] skinning back up the south aspect to meet Jamie on the ridge. After a quick high-five we skied a north couloir back to the valley we started in. 15min of skinning back to the sleds we then reversed our tracks back to the truck. Frozen, but enjoying the Arctic sunset over the Columbia Valley.

On October 11, 2017, tragedy befell an accomplished young big wall climber in Yosemite Valley. That was the day that Quinn Brett fell more than 30 metres from a fabled multipitch line on El Capitan's Boot Flake.

The injuries she sustained were harrowing. The impact shattered her T12 vertebra and split open her scalp. Most heartbreaking of all, it robbed her of the ability to use her legs.

Quinn Brett & the accident that changed her life

It was no small miracle that she survived the incident. Flight For Life lifted Quinn from the Valley and carried her to a new chapter. It would prove far more challenging than any big wall route ever could.

She underwent a litany of operations, began physical therapy, and slowly started to learn how to live in a body so transformed from the one that had carried her to the world-renowned summits of Longs Peak, Half Dome, and Cerro Torre, to name a few.

An Accidental Life, a mountain festival film, documents Quinn after her fall. Through it, director Henna Taylor bears witness to Quinn's tenacious spirit as she fights to reclaim her strength, peace, and stoke.

In a 2018 essay, Quinn Brett on Her Life-Changing Accident and Her Passion for Wilderness, the young woman wrote:

My accident rerouted my life, but I’m still alive. I can still act. The therapists have a machine that supports my legs so I can stand, and although I can’t feel my legs, standing tall feels good in ways that I cannot describe. When my friends help wheel me onto gravel and gentle dirt trails, my heart sings. I still love wild places so much.

An Accidental Life premiered this week at the 2022 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. Viewers can take in the feature-length film here from February 23-26, 2022.

In 1937, France considered wolves locally extinct. Yet in 2021, the population numbers an estimated 600. Perhaps cross-border migration helped flip the numbers, or perhaps the species evaded detection for years.

In this week's Weekend Warm-up, a team of snow riders and environmentalists track France's wolves and discover that they roam surprisingly close to humans.

An elusive predator

At the end of the 18th century, thousands of wolves lived in France. But they were unpopular. Locals thought they were a threat and hunted them to local extinction. Lynx in France suffered a similar fate.

Despite hunting in packs of up to 30, wolves can be tricky to find. Often, it is only their howl (used to communicate with their pack) that locates them. Wolves can run at speeds of more than 60kph. With more than 40 teeth, they can devour up to 10kg of meat in one meal. Large hoofed mammals like bison, moose, and deer are their preferred prey. Their keen sense of smell, which is more than 100 times more powerful than humans, helps them remain relatively invisible.

Today, killing wolves is illegal in France. The wolf population is rising, which means that wolves and humans will have to coexist.

Tracking wolves

Thomas Delfino is a snow enthusiast who spends his winter days skiing untouched snow. He shares his recreational territory with many wild animals but rarely sees them.

“I knew nothing of the wild world in which I would ride almost every day in winter,” Delfino explains. Working with Pierre Sellier, Lionel Tassan, and Guillaume Collombet, he now seeks a better understanding of his wild neighbors.

Tassen is a wildlife photographer who specializes in mountain environments. His image collection includesowls, wolves, and other alpine species in their natural habitat.

By tracking footprints, Tassen learns where wolves roam. When the footprints are sharp, he knows that they are fresh. Once he understands where the wolves move, he sets up camera traps.

The camera traps have provided plenty of great footage. One video shows a wolf carrying a severed deer head in broad daylight. When the animal nears the camera, it smells that humans have been close by and turns in the opposite direction.

Leaving no trace has become a common turn of phrase. Humans should strive to co-exist with nature, without spoiling it. Wolves have come close to mastering that. They coexist with humans and remain largely undetected.

Paraglider and filmmaker Adrien Nisan, 39, lives in his van in the French Alps. Recently, he was having a hard time -- lonely, depressed, and with little work because of COVID. Then he adopted a three-year-old Samoyed named Ouka who had been abandoned twice by previous owners.

On mountain scrambles, Nisan noticed that Ouka was not afraid of heights. He decided to see how the dog would take to paragliding. So he sewed Ouka a special harness and away the pair went.

In the clip, produced by the BBC, Nisan admits that despite Ouka's relaxed demeanor, not everyone approves of this unusual tandem. But although the dog can't express any discomfort in words, "When Ouka doesn't like something, you immediately know," says Nisan.

Four Masted Barque Rounding Cape Horn is a dull title for a flamboyant compendium of live-action footage of life aboard a monstrous cargo vessel in 1928, all captured and curated by a young captain, Irving Johnson.

In 1980, Johnson compiled his collection, added his own narration, and created this energetic, one-of-a-kind film. It's informative, humorous, full of action, and remarkably well documented — even by today's adventure film standards.

Captain Irving Johnson

American captain Irving Johnson was a colorful adventurer, sail training pioneer, speaker, and writer.

The documentary opens with a reel of Johnson riding boneshaker and big-wheel bicycles on his family's farm in Hadley, Massachusetts. (The footage includes an over-the-handlebars face plant.) He then proceeds to scale a rotted, wobbling electrical pole, and pulls off a pearl-clutching, hands-free headstand once at the top "to make sure he'd never be scared."

He did all of these things to get in shape for his lifelong ambition — a maritime voyage to Cape Horn.

"Now there's a boy with a one-track mind if you've ever seen one!" the elder captain exclaims. "I got ready for it on the farm before I'd even seen saltwater."

The Peking

Johnson set sail for Cape Horn aboard the Peking, the largest sailing ship in the world, and one of the last cargo vessels ever used in the nitrate-and-wheat trade around Cape Horn.

Built by F. Laesiz company in 1911, the film's titular steel-hulled, four-masted bark weighed 3,100 tons when bone-dry (which it never was), donned more than an acre of canvas across its 32 sails, and ran entirely off human and wind power. It had benefited Germany and Italy by the time Johnson joined its ranks.

The crew stuffed its cargo hold with 5,300 tons of goods and set off on a 17,700-kilometre voyage from northern Ireland to South America's southernmost tip.

Sailing to Cape Horn, 1928

The Peking spent 17 hectic days in the North Sea. Storms battered the ship, sometimes submerging its rails up to nine metres underwater. Drenched but seemingly cheerful sailors dumped out the water from their galoshes between turns at managing the great bark's 315 lines. The only way to dry one's clothes? By sleeping in them.

"There's something about these vessels that causes a kind of hypnotism! You can do things you'd never dream of doing on land," Johnson enthuses in the film.

Mending sails — Johnson tells us they'd learned to sew seven metres of canvas an hour at "racing speed" — lining up for weekly trims, harvesting shark, and sharing four-on/four-off shifts knit the crew together tightly.

In unfavorable weather, the Peking could sail at speeds up to 16 knots with, as Johnson notes, the help of her crew. "We felt like Superman!" said the extroverted skipper. "We made all of this happen!"

After weathering one last nautical storm, the crew approached Cape Horn — and then the Peking came to a lulling halt. The wind had literally been taken out of its sails. Foggy, warm, still air enveloped the ship for a week or so. The crew was forced to mitigate the current without so much as a breeze, causing the Peking to pulse to and from the Chilean coast.

He wanted to experience a storm

"I'm disgusted with the weather." Johnson's narration showcases the exasperation he felt as a greenhorn. "I came all these thousands of miles to get a big 'storm-off' coupon."

And then came the storm he'd always wished for. And a second storm. Johnson, miraculously, provides comprehensive footage from high up on a mast. "Now watch this," he prompts us, "the bottom of Niagara Falls looks exactly like what you're gonna see here."

So what did the young sailor learn? And did the Peking ever make it to the port of Cape Horn? You'll just have to see for yourself.

Runtime: 38 minutes

Last winter, Emily Ford of Duluth, Minnesota, became the first woman and only second person to hike Wisconsin's 1,900km Ice Age Trail, supported by Diggins, her sled dog.

This year, the 29-year-old and Diggins aim for a 320km ski tour along the Minnesota-Ontario border.

Emily Ford's winter ski trek

Ford and Diggins will depart from Crane Lake on February 11 and spend the next month skijoring, and when necessary, skiing and hauling along the Boundary Waters.

She is also packing snowshoes for the inevitable portages through the deep snow of the north woods. Ford will tow a pulk with all of the gear and provisions she and Diggins need along the way. The pair should reach Grand Portage near Lake Superior around March 13.

They'll follow the Border Route that crosses the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) for part of the trek. The Border Route is a millennia-old line historically used by Native Americans and fur traders.

After rocketing to influential heights following her historic hike last year, Ford said she's very aware that the causes she chooses to support and the trails she decides to pursue are important. This trip is about adventure, sure. But it's also about elevating wild places that need preservation and respect, like the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

"A lot of people know about the Boundary Waters in the summer. But it's so much more than that. I want to give it a face in the wintertime," Ford said.

You can follow her and Diggins on their 2022 trek via her Instagram account, @emilyontrail.

In September 2019, climber Emma Twyford became the first British female to climb 9a. The accomplishment, which required more than two solid years of dedication, broke the climbing grade 9 barrier for British women. What may be more impressive is the route that she chose to break that barrier with — The Big Bang. And a just-released film by the same name documents Twyford's ride to the chains.

The Big Bang resides at a seaside cliff in North Wales known as Lower Pen Trwyn (or ‘LPT’). Owing to the often inclement weather and the stoutness of its rock formations, crags in the U.K. are notoriously challenging. Those conditions are made all the worse when the location of the route is sea-level and metres from the shore.

So it's little wonder why very few climbers can say they have successfully redpointed The Big Bang, which is the LPT's ultimate test piece. When Twyford first encountered the route in 2017, only two people in the world had sent it.

A bit about 'The Big Bang' 9a

Despite LPT's temperamental conditions, it is home to one of the few limestone havens in the entire United Kingdom. Britain is best known for its burly gritstone trad routes, but limestone lends itself to sport climbing.

Limestone's steepness, variety of features, and intricacy inspire the cutting-edge acrobatics seen on many advanced sport routes today. The LPT has all of that to offer, which is why it became the U.K.'s epicentre for elite sport climbing in the 1980s. Those familiar with the climbing there describe it as steep and sharp. As the area's most difficult route, The Big Bang is no exception.

Neil Carson claimed The Big Bang's first ascent in 1996. The next ascent wasn't until 2011 by James McHaffie. Reportedly, it took McHaffie just 13 days to project and redpoint the watershed line.

At the time of Carson's ascent, the climbing world heralded it as the U.K.'s first 9a sport climb.*

Emma Twyford

Twyford began trad climbing when she was just seven years old. At the age of 10, she began competing and earned the title of British Bouldering Champion when she was 24.

After retiring from competitions, Twyford turned back to trad climbing and became quickly accomplished in the style discipline. She landed several impressive E9 headpoints, one E8 flash, and numerous E7 flashes by her early 30s.

Then she turned her sights on sport climbing. When asked why she chose The Big Bang specifically, "I think because of the history behind it," she told UK Climbing. "LPT was at the forefront of British climbing back in the day with hard and historical climbs being put up by Ben Moon and Jerry Moffatt such as Statement of Youth (Britain's first 8a) and Liquid Ambar (8c)."

According to Twyford, setting the record as Britain's first woman to 9a is just a bonus. "I'm more psyched about getting the 3rd ever ascent of this route. That feels pretty special, knowing it is hard and hasn't been repeated very often, and that I'm one of three people to unlock the sequences."

*This claim has met some dispute, particularly after Hubble at Raven Torr. Ben Moon claimed the first ascent of Hubble in 1990 and graded it 8c+ at the time. The route has seen fewer than 12 ascents since Moon's FA. Most of the climbers that have redpointed Hubble agree that a grade of 9a more accurately reflects the route's difficulty.

As such, Hubble is technically the first 9a sport climb in the UK, preceding The Big Bang by six years.

Last month, two of Brazil's foremost highliners set sail for the skies. Their mission: to string up and traverse the highest slackline in the world. And they would do it in the whimsical fashion so baked into balance culture, supported by a pair of rainbow-colored hot air balloons.

From 1,860 metres above Earth, Rafael Bridi lifted himself over the hot air balloon basket and planted his bare feet on the narrow, 2.5cm tightrope. With a grin on his face, the 34-year-old daredevil smoothly cantered across the webbing.

The feat, captured on Bridi's GoPro Max, suspended him at a height twice that of the world's tallest building. His balancing act shattered the previous highline record and landed Bridi's name in Guinness World Records.

Take a look.

For thousands of years, trees have given us wood for our fires and lumber for shelter. They provide the air we breathe and they house vital plants and animals. Forests have always meant stability and security, yet they remain a great mystery to us.

We cannot begin to fathom how old trees can be. Ecologists can tell the age of a tree by counting its annual rings. Tree rings are like an archive of thousands of years of information. They let us see into the past. They show what the climate was like and how the land affected local plants.

5,000 years of history in a single tree

Some trees are so ancient that they pre-date the Pyramids of Giza. Bristlecone pines are the longest-living trees in the world, and the oldest individual has survived over 5,000 years. How is this possible? Bristlecone pines are especially resilient to changes in climate and harsher conditions. And their past might hold the key to nature’s future survival.  

In Japan, trees are deeply respected. Individuals believe that forests have thoughts and consciousness. There is almost a religious aspect to their activities in the deep forests or even among the trees in urban areas. Arborists or “tree doctors” help heal them when they are sick, snowboarders traverse the forest in winter and liken the practice to a conversation. The Japanese believe that trees have spirits and that we should treat them as we do humans. They are much older than we are, after all. 

In British Columbia, ecologists see ancient forests as vast networks. Think of a computer or nervous system. Each tree relays information to the other, sending signals to fungi on the forest floor or signaling the presence of new animals or insects. This only reinforces how very much alive trees are. These ancient forests are vital for storing carbon and supporting ecosystems. Unfortunately, logging is increasing. If it continues without adequate checks, recovery could take over 1,000 years. 

What will it take to rebuild our respect for trees? We must remember that one day, we will rejoin them in the Earth. We must remember that our energy will replenish the forest. 

During Arthur’s first year of life, he toured Ethiopia while his parents climbed the Towers of Tigray. As a new mother, I watched in awe while imagining my daughter exploring the contrasting colors and cultures of life on the trail, like Arthur. Now his family are at it again. This time, bike touring France and climbing along the way.

Arthur's parents, James Pearson and Caroline Ciavaldini, are two of the most accomplished climbers of their generation. Based in France, they each started climbing as youngsters (Ciavaldini age 12, Pearson age 15) and quickly developed a global reputation. Their partnership intertwines a love of travel and scaling rocks. In 2018, when Arthur arrived, none of that changed.

Parenting is tough; traveling as a parent even harder

Ciavaldini says, “I am living the dream life now.” Most likely, she is referring to sharing her passion with her best friend, partner, and the father of her child. In my eyes, she and Pearson are inspirational. Parenting is tough, let alone simultaneously upholding pre-child ambitions.

Anyone with a toddler knows that the previously simple task of leaving the house becomes an elaborate affair with a phenomenal amount of baby paraphernalia. No matter how simple a family keeps child necessities, there are a ton of extras required. Throw in COVID-related travel restrictions, and any parent would be forgiven for putting family travel in the “too hard” category.

Not this family. On their recent adventure, Ciavaldini has the additional responsibility of being pregnant with Arthur’s sibling. Yet the family make a few adjustments and continue following their passion.

Solution-oriented people

When they become frustrated by cross-border restrictions, the family make transport a part of the adventure. They attach a trailer to the back of Pearson’s e-bike, turning it into Arthur’s mini-oasis. On the back of Ciavaldini’s e-bike is another trailer equipped with the family's kit.

Then, the couple ride for three weeks from the Alps to their home. Along the way, they visit some of France’s most highly regarded climbs.

Riding in southwest from Briancon, they first stop at Ceuse. Arthur rides up front near the handlebars on the long approach to Cascade, one of Ceuse’s oldest sections. Next, they follow single track through to Orpierre. When a trailer breaks, they have a local ironmonger fix it.

The family take time between climbing to find parks and ice cream for Arthur. Then they leave the Alps behind. The scenery becomes green valleys as they head toward Provence.

At Saint-Léger, Ciavaldini does a final lead climb. She decides to ease back on difficulty as her pregnancy progresses.

As I write this during my own final weeks of pregnancy, I can’t help but once again be in awe. The physicality of climbing during pregnancy is not lost on me.

Now or never

Timing wasn't generous for the family though. It was now or never, said Pearson as he weighed up waiting for warmer weather with second trimester pregnancy. Leaving later in the year would have offered fewer wet days. But the relentless rain doesn’t matter much. In any case, Arthur is warm and dry in his trailer, which is their main concern.

Toward the end of their journey, temperatures rise to the mid-30s Celsius and the terrain flattens. The family make a final stop in Gargantua, a local haven similar to an outdoor climbing gym where almost all holds are chipped and quickdraws in place.

Ciavaldini and Pearson seem to be solution-oriented people. Many families find it easier to hunker down at home until COVID restrictions ease. Some also choose to wait until their young form reliable behaviors and sleep patterns before traveling.

But Ciavaldini and Pearson seek out ways to overcome barriers associated with young family travel. Without letting life pass them by, they reward Arthur with new experiences.

The documentary Why Do I Hike? tracks Croatian filmmaker Nikola Horvat as he tackles the Colorado Trail and attempts to answer that existential question.

A veteran thru-hiker, Horvat has walked from Canada to Mexico, completed the Pacific Crest Trail, and established the Croatian Long Distance Trail. After collaborating on two documentaries during the PCT and CLDT, he decided to go back to school to study video production.

Throughout the course, other students asked him time and again: “Why do you hike?” He realized that over time, his reasons have changed. He set out to learn other hikers' reasoning.

A one-man effort

Though the film features many hikers, this is a one-man endeavor. He walked, shot all the footage, and carried all the equipment. His backpack included a camera, tripod, two lenses, a GoPro, and a drone. Once he had completed all the filming, he edited everything himself.

“I wanted this movie to look like a million-dollar film with at least 15 people involved. The truth is, my budget…was $0,” he told The Trek.

On the trail, he reflects on what he learned during previous long-distance hikes. Walking from Mexico to Canada, he gained self-respect. By creating the Croatian Long Distance Trail, he made something for others while “discovering secrets of my own abyss.”

Horvat splits the film into five chapters. Each chapter is an answer to his film's question. The first chapter is nature, followed by time, community, and mental health. The final chapter is a summary of Horvat’s thoughts and what he wants from his life.

This is not a documentary trying to convince others to hike. It is purely one man's thoughts. In each chapter, Horvat intersperses his narration with comments from other hikers. What soon becomes clear is that there is a common thread of reasoning that brings hikers back to the trails each year. In the first chapter, Horvat says “every time I venture into the wilderness, I feel as if I am returning to the place I belong.” Other hikers mirror his sentiments.

A hiking community

Although many hike alone or in small groups, everyone featured has a similar community mindset. They are kindred spirits, who bond through their love of the outdoors. This community helps them become the best version of themselves. “In the wild, people respect and listen to each other more,” says one hiker.

On the topic of mental health, many hikers comment on the therapeutic value of hiking. “A bad day hiking is probably one of the better days of your life,” says one. It is a form of escapism where you can once again find joy in the small things.

At one point, you see Horvat overcome with excitement over a bottle of sugared water. He has been looking forward to it for three days.

Occasionally, the documentary tries to tackle more deeper questions about life, and meaning. Horvat muses that humanity is “an assemblage of molecules that unite the chaos of the Big Bang.” This may not resonate with everyone, but most of the film will.

Set to a backdrop of beautiful landscapes and music, the documentary might give you one more reason to get out there.

“The Collective” features 45 minutes of epic ski and mountain cinematography interspersed with musings from some of the world's best freestyle skiers.

The opening scenes ask you to “travel through the emotional dimension with the Collective”.

They tour Canada, Norway, Finland, Japan, Switzerland, and France. The shots flit between wild mountain faces, classic powder skiing, and rail tricks, but the thread of the film is that skiing is collective.

Everyone is there to build connections, memories, and adventures. Their innate love of skiing extends beyond language and individual talent.

“Some call it a tribe mentality, others call it a shared sense of purpose…The Collective is more than the sum of its parts. No matter who you are or where you come from –- it feels good to be part of something special.”

A message but no narrative

Interestingly, the film doesn't follow a narrative. You are not watching the team try to achieve something, and the film does not build to some big scene-stealing moment. Instead, you watch skiing in all its purity and glory, and its ability to build connections.

Each individual has his or her own style and specialty. As a group, they move with ease between huge peaks and the inner city. Intermittently, the collective splits into smaller groups to push the boundaries. “When you see your friends do something crazy, you want to do it too," says one. "They push you to be better.”

After opening with some big jumps in Norway, the scene shifts to Switzerland. Here, we have our first breakaway group, the duo of Sam Anthamatten and Andrew Pollard. The Swiss-born Anthamatten was originally more of an alpinist, but in 2009, he changed his focus to free-riding. He shows Pollard the ropes in his home country.

Pollard has been competing in the Freeride World Tour since 2019 when he won Rookie of the Year. He is fearless and tells the camera that he was able to push his skiing to new heights in Switzerland thanks to Anthamatten's expertise in the Swiss Alps.

Terrain park women

We next move to terrain park skiing, a discipline typically associated with male skiers. Kelly Sildaru, Caroline Claire, Giulia Tanno, and Sarah Hoefflin, who hold many Youth Olympic, Olympic, and X Games medals between them, quickly show why this is no longer the case.

In Hakuba, Japan, rain that turns to ice forces the skiers to briefly convert from deep powder hijinks into a more cultural adventure. Then in Finland, the urban skiing begins dramatically, as Will Berman dislocates his elbow. Now one man down, the remaining trio delivers one of the highlights of the film. Seeing them execute rail tricks and jumps is not all that surprising, since that is their specialty. But watching it unfold in inner-city Helsinki is almost mind-boggling. Things usually confined to large slopes and terrain parks are somehow recreated in confined and unusual places.

In Canada, another experienced threesome takes one of their number on his first foray into backcountry skiing. “Most of the time it was more fun for them to watch me,” the backcountry rookie said, as the other observed him come up with new ideas as he crashed through the powder.

The final, whole group segment in France showcases the Collective in all its glory. The talent of some of the best skiers in the world permeates the screen.

Deep in the Tusheti Mountains, a lone patriot struggles to maintain his legacy. Irakli Khvedaguridze is a walking memory of a time long past, when Europe’s highest settlement of Bochorna was a bustling village full of life and hope. Now, his beloved home is a shell that continues to fade into the snowy oblivion of the mountaintops. 

Irakli Khvedaguirdze is 78 years old and the last resident of Bochorna. He has lived in these mountains since the 1940s. After the Second World War, his family, friends and neighbors gradually left the snowy slopes in search of a better life in the cities.

Eventually, he had only the sounds of nature and for company. The settlement declined into a ghost town, with the once-proud Georgian flags becoming tattered in the powerful mountain winds. Houses fell into disrepair. Phone communication ceased. 

After 2,000 years, the last man standing

Today, any contact with the outside world comes from occasional tourists or shepherds in the summer. On good reception days, Irakli can listen to the radio playing traditionally Georgian folk songs. The village is only accessible via helicopter.

Despite this, Irakli remains loyal to his childhood home. People have been living on these slopes for 2,000 years, and he does not want to be responsible for ending that legacy. 

Irakli goes long periods without seeing his children and grandchildren. The difficulty of the journey to Bochorna, along with the unstable communication, has contributed to Irakli’s ongoing loneliness and disappointment. He feels like he’s the only one in his country who cares about their roots. “The mountains are my life,” he says. His identity as one of the last of the Tusheti people remains unshakeable. 

It's likely that his generational resilience from growing up in wartime and living a more traditional lifestyle have a lot to do with his devoted sense of place. We now live in a time of maximum comfort and immediate gratification, where a traditional struggle to survive is rare. It would be a shame to see two millennia of tradition evaporate for the sake of wanting to be modern. 

It is bittersweet to acknowledge that his final contribution to Georgia is his role as the last inhabitant of Europe’s highest settlement (2,345m). After that, nothing. Nature goes on, and the mountains will abide.

At least memories last forever.

In 2018, buddies and pro snowboarders Travis Rice and Chris Rasman left on a 10-day quest for utopian powder in Alaska's little-explored yet surprisingly accessible Tordrillo mountains.

But what does snowboarding — or any winter sport — have to do with truffle pigs?

Well, much like pigs trained to sniff out highly prized forest fungus, Rice and Rasman register as focused, tenacious, motivated to seek out the most exceptional mountain terrain. And that's precisely why the pair chose to explore the Tordrillos.

The Tordrillos: untapped Alaskan backcountry

Situated nearly 3,500m above sea level on Alaska's Matanuska-Susitna and Kenai Peninsula Boroughs, the Tordrillos receive 15m of snow each year. The area may be known by non-adventure crowds for its exquisite, tiffany-blue glaciers which feed the peninsula's lower lakes and rivers in the warmer months.

Limit-seekers and elite mountain athletes like Cody Townsend have traveled to the Tordrillo range because of its renowned winter sports environment. The region lies just 110km northwest of Anchorage and is reasonably accessible.

Yet Alaska's Tordrillo mountain range remains one of the least explored spots in the state.

There are just two problems for Rice and Rasman: The Tordrillo range spans 3,200 sq km — more than 400,000 hectares. And the weather proves particularly tumultuous during their stay. It means they have an unimaginable canvas to cover and very little time to cover it.

"Somewhere out there is the perfect gap," Rice says from atop a pearl-white massif. "We just gotta find her."

"Yep," agrees Rasman."Just gotta keep on sniffin' 'n' searchin'!"

"Seek, persist, and manifest...A truffle you will find"

So, like pigs sniffing out truffles, the adventure-hungry mountain slayers find just what they were looking for, but it doesn't come easily.

A snowstorm becomes the savior and scourge of Rasman and Rice's trip, dumping a heavenly 1.5 metres of fresh powder down before kicking it up in 160kph gusts of wind. The blizzard makes for long, often unrewarding search missions and wine-laden evenings cooped up indoors.

In concise order, the film crew gathers surreal footage of the mountain athletes at play and at rest. From exquisite jump tricks off-ramps into a world of untouched, perfect alpine snow to the precise carve-ups down steep, exposed couloirs.

But Truffle Pigs'also pays heed to the majesty of the boundless Alaskan backcountry, the sled dogs, and the creatures that thrive in it.

"What is the find without the hunt?"

Without trying, the film also seems to capture the levity and warmth possible when kindred spirits combine.

We witness, for example, a simple scene over morning coffee. From the comfort of their alpine lodge, the two boarders express their starkly diametric "ideal day." Rice wants to hunker down and prepare for the next strip of good weather. But Rasman is champing at the bit to get out, even if it means they'll hike 12 hours through the unforgiving wilderness just to snowboard a little.

Watch the two carve up the vast Alaskan canvas — and take in the generous mountain views in Truffle Pigs: An Alaskan Odyssey.

Runtime: 13.5 minutes

If you haven't seen the 2014 documentary, Valley Uprising, it's about time.

At the heart of the project lies Yosemite Valley and the climbers who've loved it. Legend by legend, the film takes viewers through modern climbing's very recent but incredibly rich history. And more to the point — the filmmakers do it all well.

From climbing's stick-it-to-the-man beginnings at Camp 4, Valley Uprising sort of raises you with it. Characters like Camp 4 founding member, Royal Robbins, the now-deceased Dean Potter, tomboy extraordinaire/crusher Lynne Hill, and a wide-eyed, cheeky, far-less-famous Alex Honnold (he wouldn't catapult to Free Solo stardom until 2018).

As a culture, climbing encompasses many a retelling of guts and glory. But much like Yosemite Valley itself, the quirky, impish, dirtbag moments are what give Valley Uprising life. Take, for instance, the tale of Dope Lake, teased in the clip below. It recalls the time a ganja-laden plane crashed high up on Merced Pass in the late 1970s, and how the fringe climbers from Camp 4 made a very lucrative business out of it.

For the full story an so much more, watch Valley Uprising on Amazon Prime.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY FIANN PAUL

As a psychoanalyst, I hear more and more about the presence of indigenous peoples in the dreams of my clients. Why are they so important to the human psyche? Is it because their culture is slowly fading away and can only be experienced as a dream?

Partly. Indigenous peoples represent an important part of both ourselves and our planet and its history. This part of us also disappears, and sometimes it cries out for help.

I have learned a lot from my clients while working as a psychoanalyst. The modern world is predominantly an intellectual construct that ignores the primal side of man.

Most clients are looking for a chance to communicate with this mammal, with this unregulated aspect of themselves. As humans, we have lived at least 100 times longer this way than the intellectual part of us. That primal self has many answers on how to find happiness in life.

 

Understanding the body

When we understand psychology better, we see that this part of man rules mankind much more than the intellect. Unfortunately, when we disregard it, it rules more by retaliation than cooperation. An important element of this is to understand our own bodies, a skill that we Westerners have almost completely lost. We often drag the body along like a mechanical object. The bodies of indigenous peoples are perfectly integrated into their lives, and we can learn a lot about our bodies from them.

Indigenous peoples are wearing only about 100 years of guilt and shame that have been stuck to them by modern culture. Westerners have carried this burden for much longer, at least several centuries. Sometimes it is difficult for us to hear our own voices from beneath these negative feelings, and we have the impression that we will not have enough life to break through.

But indigenous people hear this inner voice whenever it calls, and this 100-year-old layer holds on very provisionally. I don't just mean people living in the jungle. I am also thinking of the ones who live in cities, even for two generations.

Originally published in the Polish version of National Geographic. Reproduced by permission of Fiann Paul.

Troll Wall, in Norway's Trolltindene massif, is the tallest and one of the most dangerous rock faces in Europe. The danger doesn’t come from difficulty, steepness, or height. It comes from the rock itself. The rock is loose.

At any given moment, sheets of rock, some the size of shipping containers, crash down the face into the rubble below. In 1965, two teams, one British and one Norwegian, raced to make its first ascent. The Norwegians won, with the British just one day behind.

Since then, the wall has seen a number of successes, failures, and deaths. Last July, Pete Whittaker and Mari Augusta Salvesen decided to make the latest attempt on the Troll Wall. They had tried once before but bailed before they started because the conditions were too dangerous.

A giant piece of rock crashed down the Wall

On this second attempt, the duo wanted to climb the Norwegian route in 24 hours. They completed the first nine pitches in seven hours. With every pitch, they heard two or three rockfalls happening somewhere else on the wall. The worst occurred at pitch four. A loud cracking noise came from the back of the valley, just 400m away. A truck-sized piece of rock dislodged from the steepest section of the rock face and crashed down the wall. Both climbers said that it felt like the wall was crumbling around them.

As they speak into the camera after this, you can hear the nerves creeping into their voices. The danger of the wall is clearer than ever. Still, they continue and manage to make the halfway point in 12 hours.

Over 27 hours and 20 minutes, they creep their way to the top of the 1,000m wall in 30 pitches. They are glad that they chose the Norwegian route since they wouldn’t have felt comfortable climbing further to the right without more local knowledge and experience.

Though the wall is famous for its rockfall, the two were surprised at how often it happened during their climb. "It is not a wall to be taken lightly, that’s for sure,” said a relieved Whittaker after it was over.

This is a story meant for a new generation of climbers. As we get deeper into the 21st century, after all the 8,000'ers have been climbed, and then tamed in both summer and winter, a new concept of exploration arises. Seek out virgin peaks in hidden valleys, go lightweight, and find different ways to climb and descend.

Andrzej Bargiel and Jedrek Baranowski of Poland starred in one of the most exciting expeditions in Pakistani last summer. They climbed and skied down the remote Yawar Shar II (6,178m) and then the commonly photographed but rarely summited dagger known as Laila Peak (6,096m).

Afterward, they shared a few details and short clips, but we never saw the true extent of their adventure. We never thought about, for example, how they managed to access isolated Yawar Shar II and how they skied the distinctive ramp of Laila Peak, which ends in a massive cliff.

Red Bull has just released a 45-minute video documenting Bargiel and Baranowski's Pakistan adventure. Videographer and drone operator Jakub Gzela directed the film, with the help of veteran climber and coach Darek Zaluski and photographer Bartlomiej Pawlikowski.

Gzela's exquisite work (at only 23!) has almost made us forget Bargiel's brother Bartek, who notably filmed his brother's 2019 K2 ski descent. Bartek was not there to fly his drone this time. The footage in this film shows 360º perspectives of sharp summits and the nearly vertical slopes of their chosen descents. Meanwhile, the climbers' helmet cams document the vertigo accompanying every turn.

Beauty, but also a serious risk

Andrzej Bargiel has become one of the best-known high-altitude skiers since his landmark run down of K2. Baranowski, on the other hand, had no high-altitude experience, so this was quite an extreme introduction. Especially since it took place in the wildest corner of the Karakorum.

This background, plus Bargiel's reflections, fill the first part of the video. We get progressively more eager to see the skiers tackle nearly impossible turns. And in time, we indeed get plenty of amazing footage. The film shows the beauty of the place but also the serious risks that the skiers took.

In addition to the steep slopes, Bargiel and Garanowski had to deal with extremely tricky conditions. On the upper sections of Yawash Sar II, a thin layer of soft snow concealed hard blue ice below, which no ski edge could hold. Only Bargiel reached the highest point and so achieved the first ascent of the peak.

On Laila, the main challenge was the changing, icy conditions on the section right above the cliff, and a serac area through which they hurried. The weather was good, but their window was short on both peaks, and they had to hurry.

Most of all, the skiers couldn't wait for the right moment or ideal conditions. When they stepped into their skis, their next stop was base camp.

We can't embed the video, but you can watch it by following the link below.

https://www.redbull.com/ca-en/films/doo-sar-a-karakoram-ski-expedition

Watch a grown man carrying a shovel dressed as a train engineer run a marathon through muddy swamps, dense brambles, and people’s backyards.

You read that right. The short film Run the Line depicts Beau Miles “following his nose on something half-cooked that’s only half there” — in this case, a long-abandoned train line near his home in southeastern Australia.

Miles totes no electrolyte packets, no nutritional goo, no form of instant sugar. He has no smartwatch, no system for measuring distance. He doesn’t even wear running clothes. A pair of work pants, a cutoff plaid shirt, and a scarf get the job done.

Why the shovel? According to Miles, it’s to shove aside blackberry brambles when the going gets thick. It's a curious tool for the job, but it makes the ruddy-complected runner's anachronistic kit uncannily complete.

The objective: “Run” a semi-rural 43km train line that once carried timber between Noojee and Warragul (outside Melbourne) from the early 1900s until 1958.

Beau Miles hunts history on the traces of a trail

Why pursue such a bizarre objective? According to Miles, his aim was to perform first-hand (or boots-on-the-ground) historical research.

“I think it’s easy to forget about eras before our current one,” Miles says. “Especially when they get lost under layers of new suburbs and development. There comes a time when you have to actively search out history. Running what was last run by big steel wheels — what a cool idea! At least, I think it’s a cool idea.”

Noting that the route has not existed for over 60 years, the chipper Australian understandably predicts some obstacles. Hijinks ensue.

Almost as soon as he sets New Balance to train track at the station in sleepy Warragul (population 1,476), he runs into his first bottleneck: a small house, right where the track used to be.

He considers his options.

“Yeah, I don’t know,” Miles begins, “if I was sitting there having my cup of tea and a bloke wanders through looking like an idiot train driver with a shovel, I’m probably going to get up and say ‘get out of here. You’re not supposed to be here, train drivin’ man.’”

Trespass as exploration, and 'bush tucker'

He resolves to go around, but it won’t be his last time weighing the pros and cons of attempting to harmlessly violate personal property. Trespassing is the zany exploit’s principal antagonistic behavior, and the marathon-distance run proves to require it on a nearly constant basis. (The film counts the last fence Miles jumps as number 176.)

“My thinking was, if I was continually moving and being mindful of the animals, I wasn’t doing anybody any harm,” he says.

At one point, the police respond to phone calls from anxious residents and conduct a notably non-threatening interrogation.

The encounter tests Miles’ mettle little, if at all. He simply churns through the landscape, eating leftover mush packed in multiple upcycled peanut butter jars in his backpack. At one point, he chomps down wild mushrooms growing beside the road. “That is a good bit of mushie,” he exclaims. “A good bit of bush tucker.”

He’s delighted to discover that fence number 68 is not electric, stating, “That’s good for my balls.”

“I want to be engaged with what’s around me,” he says. “I don’t want to be distracted by the trail, or the lack of one. This is my new kind of running — which in some ways isn’t running at all. It’s exploring. And I bloody love it.”

Revelations with a magpie

Reflecting at the end of the adventure, Miles finds himself talking to a curious magpie at Noojee station. “I spent years and years going to the ends of the earth trying to find adventure,” he confides to the bird. “It’s right under my nose here. Under all these multilayered things in my own backyard.

I guess that’s the big takeaway here. Explore your own backyard.”

It's 217 kilometres from the lowest point in the Americas (Badwater Basin, 86m below sea level) to the base of the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States (Mount Whitney, 4,421m). Naturally, two of America's sufferfest heroes recently took the hard way up and the dangerous way down.

The mission: bike the distance through the blistering desert, then summit Mt. Whitney's 13km, 1,870m Mountaineer's Route. Then ski back down.

After introducing the objective, professional skier Cody Townsend says, "I've got one other person who's just dumb enough to do this with me."

Enter the world's most famous rock climber, Alex Honnold.

It's the latest installment in Townsend's The Fifty video series, which chronicles his tour of the 50 most famous ski descents in North America (according to the guidebook, Fifty Classic Ski Descents of North America).

Honnold's first line in the video: "I legitimately haven't skied in a couple of years, I don't think." Then he makes a dad-tastic rock climber joke.

Hijinks and danger ensue, as the two athletes defy the weather to visibly struggle through the task. They endure some legitimately hairy moments. Some activities they're clearly not good at: Alex Honnold grasps the concept of french fries vs. pizza, but that's about it.

Can they complete their charge? "Only one way to find out," says Honnold.

Following in the footsteps of Freda Du Faur, three freeride skiers tour New Zealand’s most uncompromising terrain. They discover unresolved trauma, physical limits, and a changing landscape.

Du Faur was an Australian mountaineer. Although she never lived in New Zealand, she was the first woman mountaineer in the country. Criticized for her wildly inappropriate endeavors within a male domain, in 1910 she became the first woman to summit Aoraki Mt Cook. She climbed the 3,760m peak in a record-breaking six hours.

Pants are now acceptable

A lot has changed since then. Women mountaineers are a common sight. Climbing gear is less cumbersome and more robust. Pants are acceptable for both genders. The region’s glaciers have receded considerably since then, too.

Janina Kuzma, Anna Smoothy, and Ayako Kuroda are professional freeride skiers who don't need to appease society in the same way Du Faur had to. But their challenges in the same part of New Zealand are no less.

They'd already planned a Southern Alps crossing when they first learned of Du Faur’s earlier expedition. Du Faur then inspired them to revise their route.  As much as possible, they decided to tread in her footsteps along the Main Divide from East to West.

The Southern Alps is the mountainous spine that spans the length of New Zealand’s South Island. Forming the boundary between five regions (Marlborough, Canterbury, and Otago regions to the southeast, and the Tasman and West Coast regions to the northwest) is the Main Divide. This is where most of New Zealand’s glaciers are located.

Aoraki Mt Cook is one of New Zealand’s most prized features. Its iconic, dish-shaped peak, recognizable from afar, lords it over the Southern Alps.

Different challenges

But the Main Divide’s glaciers (classified as mid-latitude mountain glaciers) are sensitive to climate change. Glaciers are dwindling, and permafrost is thawing. The result is a mass movement of ice, rock, and debris in one of New Zealand’s best ski touring regions.

Kuzma, Smoothy, and Kuroda are among the best female freeriders of their generation. They have ski toured all over the world. Even they recognize that this unpredictable expedition poses risks. Theirs is over a century since Du Faur's expedition, yet strikingly close in terms of challenge.

When they fly into the Murchison Glacier, it’s already evident how much climate change has claimed the area. Just to access their starting point, they have to fly further into the range than expected, because the glacier has receded well beyond the old put-in site.

They set out expecting to ski clean lines of fresh snow. Instead, they instantly face hard snow that’s impossible to ski.

The terrain provokes their first problem. With unexpected amounts of scree walking, Kuroda’s boots cause her excruciating pain. Day one turns into a mammoth 14.5-hour expedition to Kelman Hut.

It’s exhaustingly hot. Progress is slow. Their goal simply becomes moving safely from point A to point B. In the Southern Alps, unpredictable changes such as these are dangerous.

It becomes too much for one member

Further on, the exposure reaches terrifying levels. On one of the shrinking glaciers, known as Suicide Alley, a wrong step can easily turn fatal. Poor weather relentlessly chases the group, and tempers rise between them.

They are forced to downclimb thin glacial ice, navigate extremely narrow ice bridges, and cross crevasses. It becomes too much for Kuroda. She breaks down, remembering past trauma. A helicopter airlifts her out.

Kuzma and Smoothy press on, successfully crossing all glaciers in Mt Cook National Park. They cross the Main Divide in an east-to-west direction.

Despite the 100 years between them, there are parallels between Du Faur's and the freeriders missions. Du Faur overcame the harsh landscape, telling herself it’s “only a hill, Earth set a little higher.” as she pressed on.

Kuzma, Smoothy, and Kuroda discovered that even with contemporary gear and skills, the harsh landscape imposed huge challenges. Sometimes, different challenges because of climate change.

In places, the landscape has become barely recognizable. In another 100 years, all those glaciers will likely no longer exist.

On September 20 of this year, a field archaeologist spotted what looked like a wooden plank on Mount Digervarden in southern Norway. Since this was the same site where researchers discovered a beautifully preserved, 1,300-year-old ski in 2014, everyone was excited. This was likely its mate.

At first, severe weather blocked any attempt to free the ski. A team of archaeologists and a filmmaker documenting the find went to the ice patch and successfully liberated the pre-Viking ski on September 26, 2021.

With this latest operation, the archaeologists have unearthed the best-preserved set of prehistoric skis ever discovered.

Both skis were in remarkable condition

The ski recovered back in 2014 gained notoriety in archaeological circles for being extremely well intact. But September's dig revealed a specimen in even more remarkable condition. That second ski was so well-preserved that its bindings and lash points remained fully intact. The archaeologists even noticed signs of an ancient repair job.

The new ski spans 187cm from tip to toe -- about the length of a modern cross-country ski. But its 17cm width made it a bit wider than even the fattest contemporary downhill ski. The deck is solid birch wood and features a raised foothold with a primitive birch binding, wooden plug, and leather strap.

Clues to the past

While it remains unclear exactly how prehistoric humans used the skis, additional discoveries on the Digervarden ice patch point to mountaineering, hunting, or both.

[D]uring the recovery of the ski, the team noted the presence of several cairns in the area. They may belong to an ancient mountain trail crossing the ice patch near the find spot of the skis. We found an 18th century sled in roughly the same area in 2016. This opens the possibility that the skis could be related to high mountain transport as well. So we do not know whether the owner was a hunter or a traveler (or both).

Read the team's full report here. You can follow the Glacier Archaeology Program's latest discoveries on secretsoftheice.com and @secretsoftheice on Instagram. Watch their short documentary on the skis, below.

On November 20, Antonio de la Rosa will begin what promises to be the most unusual expedition of the Antarctic season.

He will row 1,000km from the tip of South America to the island of Livingston, in the South Shetland Islands near the Antarctic Peninsula. From there, he will sail 3,000km across the Weddell Sea to Berkner. Then he will manhaul 1,300km on skis to the South Pole.

He calls his Tri Winter Challenge. Although it takes place during the Southern Hemisphere's summer, few will dispute that it's a wintry experience. If De la Rosa succeeds, he will be the first person to row alone across the Drake Passage from Chile to Antarctica.

Drake Passage's 1,000km feature the roughest seas on earth. Here, the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Seas converge. No nearby land dampens the high winds and conflicting currents. Waves may reach 12m high.

If this isn't enough, on his return trip, he hints at wanting to replicate Ernest Shackleton's 1,200 sea journey from Elephant Island to South Georgia.

This is not de la Rosa’s first foray into ocean challenges or polar treks. In 2019, he became the first person to SUP from San Francisco to Hawaii. It took him 76 days. He has also rowed alone across the Atlantic from France to French Guiana.

In the cold regions, he has crossed Lake Baikal on skis, has SUP'd around the Arctic Circle, and done the Lapland Extreme Challenge, a 1,000km solo trek around Finnish Lapland that entrants must complete in less than 30 days.

Kris Holm has a wacky pastime. He invented municycling, which is unicycling mountains. He’s not a clown or a historian dating back to the penny-farthing era. Holm is just an unconventional 49-year-old Canadian man who has found a unique way of enjoying the outdoors.

It all started shortly before his 12th birthday. He watched a street performer ride a unicycle and decided he’d like to try it. When he received his first unicycle in 1985, it was natural for him to ride single track with it. While other kids his age played He Man, Holm was mastering inverse pendulum control theory.

Contrary to widespread clownism (yes, that’s a real thing), unicycling is an intellectual sport. It combines math and physics to use a nonholonomic system to stay upright. For steering, the wheel needs to stay beneath its centre of mass. That's inverse pendulum control theory. Unicyclists subconsciously notice that they are falling, then correct themselves.

Holm especially appreciates these aspects of the sport. Every minor movement requires focus, skill, calculation, and accuracy. A second wheel isn't there to correct disruptions.

Unicycling volcanoes

A combination of unicycle trial riding and municycling has taken Holm all over the world. He attempted a unicycle descent of Licancabur (a 5,950m volcano in Bolivia), rode trade routes across Bhutan, and the uneven pave stones of China’s Great Wall. Inevitably, his next challenge was tackling high altitude.

El Pico De Orizaba (5,636m) is Mexico’s tallest volcano and North America’s third-highest peak. As you might guess, its glaciated, rugged slopes have never been unicycled. And that's only half the challenge. Holm first had to haul his gear to the top of the volcano.

For over 30 years, Holm custom-built his own unicycles. He began out of necessity. It was impossible to find a unicycle that could withstand North Shore Vancouver’s famously difficult trails. That first custom bike was a 26″ unicycle with splined BMX cranks and brakes. It cost about $2,500 and had a heavy steel frame.

“A good offroad unicycle typically has a high volume mountain bike tire, strong 24″ to 29″ wheelset, splined cranks, disc brakes, and it might even have a front handle and gears,” he says.

Since then, he's refined his models to lessen the physical burden. For El Pico De Orizaba, he used a seven-kilo alloy-framed custom model.

Beginning at midnight, Holm hiked with his unicycle in a backpack, reaching the summit at dawn. He was layered up with clothing to combat the bitter cold. He was unaccustomed to the altitude and needed a lot of concentration to stay balanced.

On the descent, some sections reminded him of downhill ski racing. Rocky obstacles darted out in all directions and required quick thinking. When his longest-ever section of “controlled falling” came into play, Holm was in his element.

Crazy speeds

Traveling at the fastest speeds he'd ever clocked on a unicycle, Holm described it as his “craziest fastest ride ever”.

To my unicycle-virgin eyes, this seems like one heck of a challenge: Staying relatively upright while hurling downhill at unstoppable speeds on uneven, volcanic rock. Yet Holm says the very reason he enjoys unicycling is its simplicity.

“It’s the simplest form of transportation possible,” he says.

I'm not so sure. Walking, I think, is the simplest form of transportation. But in the words of the world's most extreme one-wheel practitioner, unicycling is “fun no matter where you are."

Banff Mountain Film Festival has just announced the 10 winners for this year's event. The unique selection covers everything from thrilling polar expeditions to empathy across cultural divides. Here are the award-winners for 2021.

Banff Mountain Film Festival 2021 Best Film: The Rescue

Directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, The Rescue recounts the harrowing mission to save a Thai soccer team after monsoon flooding trapped them inside a cave for 16 days.

Watch the trailer for The Rescue.

Feature Film: Torn

Directed by Max Lowe, Torn is the heartbreaking account of the loss of Alex Lowe in 1999 to an avalanche on Shishapangma and its impact on the lives of his wife, small boys, and best friend, Conrad Anker. Notably, Alex's eldest son, Max, is the filmmaker behind Torn.

Mountain Sports: The River Runner

The River Runner, directed by Rush Sturges, documents iconic expedition kayaker Scott Lindgren's 20-year commitment to paddle the four great rivers of Tibet's Mount Kailash while battling a brain tumor and his own anger. Not only that — Lindgren's trying to be the first person to run all four rivers.

Watch the trailer for The River Runner.

Exploration & Adventure: Exit the North Pole

Director Ole-André Lagmandokk follows the 3,000km polar expedition by eminent polar explorers Borge Ousland and Mike Horn in 2019. The pair sailed from Nome, Alaska across the Arctic Ocean till the pack ice stopped them. Then they skied the rest of the way, to the northern outlands of Norway. In the dark. Unsupported. We slated it as ExWeb's top expedition of 2019.

Stream Exit the North Pole on Vimeo.

Climbing: They/Them

Lor Sabourin is an adept, young, and remarkably accomplished climbing guide in Arizona. And they are trans. The documentary focuses on Lor's relationship with themself as they pour themselves into a climbing route at their upper limit.

According to Banff Mountain Film Festival jury member Paul Pritchard,  They/Them is a "timely film [that] forces us to recognize gender diversity and the importance of being an ally in the climbing community."

Watch the trailer for They/Them.

Mountain Culture: Horse Tamer

Directed by Hamid Sardar, Horse Tamer accents the relationship between humans and their horses. The fictitious storyline plays out in the Central Asian grasslands, and baltic fringes of Siberia as nomadic communities fight to keep their horses stolen and sold to Russian slaughterhouses.

Watch the trailer for Horse Tamer.

Snow Sports: Learning to Drown

Directed by Ben Knight, Learning to Drown charts iconic female snowboarder Jess Kimura as she grapples with the tragic loss of her partner.

Watch the trailer for Learning to Drown.

Mountain Environment & Natural History: Tigre Gente

Directed by Elizabeth Unger, Tigre Gente is a fictitious script that employees human empathy for other living creatures and encourages communication in the face of cultural differences. cultural divides. "With Unger's clear direction, she masterfully drives the audience to experience the clash between environmental sustainability and centuries-old beliefs and customs," reported jury member Suza Beraza.

Short Film: From My Window

Directed by Frank Pickell, From My Window is a 19-minute look into an ambitious young girl with cerebral palsy and a view of Colorado's highest mountains.

Watch the trailer for From My Window  

Creative Excellence Award: Magnitude of All Things

Directed by Jennifer Abbott, The Magnitude of All Things explores the many implications of climate change upon the human psyche. One Banff jury member describes the film as an "extraordinary approach to the Earth and human grief."

Watch the trailer for The Magnitude of All Things.

The following is a little add-on to last week's Weekend Warm-Up about Link Sar.

In 2019, alpinists Mark Richey, Steve Swenson, Chris Wright, and Graham Zimmerman notched the first ascent of Link Sar's Southeast Face (7,041m) in the Karakorum.

Their alpine-style ascent earned the four elite climbers the prestigious Piolet d'Or. Link Sar posed a perilous, high-altitude, multi-year project. Bagging the unclimbed Southeast Face required patience, persistence, and guidance from a few Himalayan ibex. (We'll get there.)

The expedition pit the quartet of mountaineers against three solid months in the Karakorum — long even by high-alpine standards. But the road to the team's first ascent was far longer.

The 20-year road to Link Sar

It began almost 20 years earlier, when a young Jimmy Chin shared photos of a monstrous, far-off peak in Pakistan's Kondus Valley with fellow mountaineer Steve Swenson.

Swenson made his first attempt on Link Sar's southeast face in 2001. "We didn't have the time or resources to get much higher than about 5,200m, but this route seemed promising, and we planned to return," he recalled in the American Alpine Journal.

Soon after Swenson returned to the U.S., escalating tensions between Pakistan and India prompted Pakistan to close the Kondus region to climbing. "I applied for and was denied a Link Sar permit in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007," said Swenson.

In an essay for Alpinist, Zimmerman wrote: "The southeast wall of Link Sar stuck in Steve's mind as a riddle to solve. Near the end of the [2001] expedition, he scrambled up a different approach to the wall…through lower bluffs and ibex pastures. Just below the steepest part of the Southeast Face, he studied the convoluted ridges, hanging ice and intricate buttresses…

"In 2015, he observed the same features again from Changi Tower, and he thought that he could see a passage to the summit."

Follow the ibex...

Zimmerman was with Swenson on the Changi Tower in 2015 and became similarly enamored with Link Sar's potential. So in 2017, Swenson, Zimmerman, and Chris Wright arrived at the Southeast Face. The trio spent two months attempting to complete what Swenson started in 2001.

[Zimmerman,  AAJ]: "We clambered up ridges that wound to nowhere or ended in slopes under the threat of serac walls. We spotted a small glacier on the north side of the main ridgeline that seemed to bypass all these difficulties, but we couldn't see a way to get over the ridge and down onto the glacier."

The three men resigned from the push, retreating to Advanced Base Camp. And this is where the ibex come in.

"We noticed that an ibex herd was crossing this complex ridge system, so we followed their tracks over 'Ibex Pass' and found a way onto the little glacier and up to the site of Camp I," said Zimmerman. "The route we'd discovered was relatively safe from overhead hazard, but intense storms [foiled] us again and again, far below the summit...[But] We all knew we'd be coming back."

And they were right.

Goat and sheep trails are common sights on steep mountainsides, but how often do alpine animals give mountaineers the key to a route?

On February 13, 1983, 27-year-old ski mountaineer Rudi Moder disappeared during a two-to-three day solo trek in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). Six days later, Moder's roommate in Fort Collins, Colorado, reported him missing.

From February 20-23, ground and aerial crews as well as an avalanche search dog scoured RMNP's northwestern perimeter. Except for a small food container and a handbuilt snow shelter housing Moder's sleeping bag and nonessential gear, the recovery effort was a bust.

Follow-up ground and air operations continued the search in the spring and summer, but the German skier was never seen nor heard from again.

That is, until the dog days of 2020 when a hiker discovered desiccated human remains while passing through the park's Skeleton Gulch, an area that was part of the original search swath 37 years before.

But conditions precluded an actual recovery of the skeletal leftovers when wildfires forced the area to close. By the time that the fires abated, snow was already falling, covering the high elevation area.

It wasn't until the summer of 2021 that park rangers and FBI officials could extract the remains. At Skeleton Gulch, they also uncovered ski mo equipment, apparel, and a few personal effects.

But it's unclear if the story ends there. Comparisons of the subject's teeth to Moder's old dental records failed to yield conclusive results. Officials, however, seem satisfied that the remains are those of Moder.

“The discovery and recovery of Rudi Moder’s remains close out a nearly four-decade-long cold case," the Park stated in a news release.