SierraDescents | 2012
June 5, 2012
Venus Alert
Yes: Venus! A thoughtful neighbor stopped by with black glasses from Griffith Park Observatory and told us that Venus is currently visible crossing the sun. My son and I jumped (more)
June 1, 2012
Ortovox 3+
I say Ortovox's 3+ is one of the best choices in today's crop of avalanche transceivers. The class of 2012 offers us a lot of innovation, but it also offers a lot of complexity. (more)
May 26, 2012
Black Diamond Mission
The big news with the climbing-oriented Mission 50 pack is that it employs Black Diamond's patent-pending 'reACTIV' suspension system. ReACTIV suspensions, and the more (more)
May 25, 2012
Salomon Speedcross 3
Salomon inarguably makes some of the most popular trail running shoes on the planet, but for my taste their lasts have tended to offer too much rigidity and/or support. Happily, (more)
May 23, 2012
False White
Chances of Memorial Day snow notwithstanding, this is probably going to be the last hurrah this year for my Sierra backcountry season—a ski descent of False White Mountain (more)
May 7, 2012
Leavitt Peak Groove
I had so much fun a week ago Skiing Conness' Y-Couloir I decided Y not do another? And so Trevor Benedict and I headed all the way north to Sonora Pass to ski Leavitt Peak's (more)
May 3, 2012
Smith Parallel
Smith's Parallel replaces the discontinued Factor as their go-to performance multisport sunglasses. Smith says the Parallel's styling is a little more contemporary, which is true. (more)
April 30, 2012
Mount Conness: Y-Couloir
Merry Fishmass everyone! That's right, fishing season is officially underway in the Eastern Sierra. Hope you took advantage of the open roads this past weekend and got out there (more)
April 25, 2012
Smartwool PhD Ski Ultra Light
Believe it or not, I was a dedicated cotton socks hiker for a long time. I liked the extra texture of cotton, which kept my foot from slipping and sliding inside my shoes. Of (more)
April 23, 2012
Sierra Snowpack Update
I sort of hesitate to say what exactly is normal these days, but I think we can safely call the Sierra snowpack well below average. Here's a shot of Birch Mountain taken April (more)
