Reviews

Backcountry Essentials is stoked to offer skis from Elan this year. We focused on the Ripstick series for both men and women because we felt these skis best complimented and differentiated themselves from all the other skis we carry. These skis are not slarvy, nor do they readily butter; they are precise carving machines—and they are a blast! We have …

Helinox Sunset Chair For a collapsible camping chair that’s small and light enough to carry almost anywhere, the Sunset Chair is also remarkably comfortable. The high back offers excellent support for end-of-the-day weary bones, and it sits high enough off the ground to allow effortless ingress and egress. I’ve transported mine from Alaska to Iceland and enjoyed countless hours relaxing …

When it comes to fantastic fall footwear, the Blundstone Chelsea boot ($189-$219) stands alone. This unisex boot is stylish enough to go with dress pants or dresses, rugged enough to be a regular farm boot, and currently hip enough to wear every day with jeans. The heel allows for near hands-free exit and entry, and the great insulation underfoot will …

Cascade Designs Platy® Water Tank All backcountry travelers like to camp near a water source, but sometimes, it’s just not possible. For example, I have camped on Copper Ridge, where getting water meant a stiff climb down to Egg Lake to fill bottles and bring them back up on top of the ridge. At times like these, it’s a blessing …

MSR®  Habitude™ 4 Tent The ideal car camping tent, in our view, is 1) durable, 2) bomb-proof in bad weather, and 3) spacious. Meet the new Habitude 4 from MSR, a tent that hits all three of these marks in a big way. This tent is constructed to last—the fabric, poles, and zippers are all top-notch, and the fully seam-sealed …

Every year, more people are getting into the backcountry to escape the inbounds ski crowds. The longer days and firmer snow of spring tours bring a new perspective to skiing as the playing field expands, and skiers can disperse even further into the mountains. In our neck of the woods, the experienced ski mountaineer can often find great snow through …

Outdoor Research Juneau Fleece Jacket Now here’s a seriously warm fleece jacket. The Double-brushed sherpa fleece is super soft and plush, and extraordinarily comfortable. At just shy of 30 oz., it’s definitely not lightweight, but on a chilly evening away from the campfire, it’s just what the doctor ordered. OR describes it as “ultra-cozy,” and they’re right. More info: www.outdoorresearch.com  …

Is this the one boot to do it all?  While I’m generally skeptical of such claims, I have found that the Roxa R3 130 TI I.R. Ski Boot is a solid all-around contender: adept for inbounds, slackcountry, and backcountry skiing. This new interpretation of a three-piece Cabrio boot weighs in at 1520 grams (size 26.5), is compatible with either gripwalk …

Is it too early to talk skiing? It’s never too early. This spring and summer I had the pleasure of testing out the Ogso Schwarztor skis (178cm) and the Black Diamond Helio 350 binding (made by ATK). This kit made my summer trips on Mt. Baker very light on the way up and silky smooth on the way down. Ogso …

San Juan Islands Boater’s Guide The folks at Blue Latitude Press (based in Anacortes, WA) have established themselves as the source for cruising guides to the waters of the Pacific Northwest (they also have the market cornered on guides to the Pacific Coast of Mexico and the Sea of Cortez). Their newly-published 2nd edition of the classic San Juan Islands …