November 1st. You peer through the rain streaming down your bedroom window. It might be raining down here but it’s dumping up there. You pull out your touring skis (or snowboard), waxed the day before…
How To Choose An Avalanche Transceiver / Beacon
The avalanche transceiver, otherwise known as a beacon, is an essential part of the avalanche safety gear triad, which also incorporates the shovel and probe. Worn by most backcountry skiers and snowboarders around the world,…
How To Choose Climbing Skins For Ski Touring
You never trust them, they stick to literally everything (including themselves) but they always get you up to high places. Often overlooked, skins are a fundamental piece of ski touring gear. As there are so…
How To Choose Ski Touring Bindings In 2024
Ski touring bindings are intricate mechanical contraptions that allow you to travel uphill efficiently and ski downhill while providing a consistent release. You can convert them between their two operating modes by pressing and twisting…
How To Choose Touring Skis in 2024
I often get the question: how do I choose a pair of touring skis? The answer is as intricate as it is simple. Touring skis are incredibly complex, especially when you want them to perform…
Mt Sifton Southeast Ridge: Superb Climbing, Glorious Views
Earlier in the week, Freddy Lynn and I were contemplating climbing Mt Sir Donald (3284m), one of the highest peaks in the Rogers Pass area. Unfortunately, the previous days’ weather wasn’t on our side. Snow…
Mt Revelstoke To Sale Mountain Traverse: Off The Beaten Path
The Mt Revelstoke to Sale Mountain Traverse has been on my list since I first moved to Revelstoke. The 30-km route spans the alpine wilderness between Mount Revelstoke and Sale Mountain, winding its way through…
Dealing With Exposure In The Alpine: Do I Belong Here?
Dealing with Exposure. This has been a new word for me this summer… Or at least a word with a new perspective. Having grown up on a farm in Northern Alberta and moved to the…
Pigeon Spire West Ridge: The Best Climb In The Bugaboos?
The west ridge of Pigeon Spire, famous for exhilarating exposure and spectacular views, is hailed as one of North America’s best easy 5th-class alpine climbs. Located within Bugaboo Provincial Park, colloquially known as the Bugaboos…
Mt Tupper West Ridge: Constant, Frightening Exposure
The west ridge of Mt Tupper is hands-down one of Rogers Pass’ best alpine climbs. For the most part, it offers some excellent 4th-class scrambling as well as 5th-class climbing with constant, bone-chilling exposure and…