March 2013 archive

Metcalf honored for ethics in business

From The Daily Herald – 28mar13 In rating ski slopes, “Black Diamond” signifies an expert run. In the world of ethics, Black Diamond also has come to indicate a high level. On Tuesday, Utah Valley University awarded the 2013 Kirk Englehardt Business Ethics Award to Peter Metcalf, CEO and president of Black Diamond Equipment. UVU …

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Review: Ascension Climbing Skins (v.12-13)

  It has been a year since my first tour with the current version of Ascension climbing skins. The last pair of nylon skins from BD sported the tire tread pattern, Glidelite brand name, and lasted 5+ years before the glue went bad (serendipitously just one week after a rave review 😉 ) You can …

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1st Look: K2’s Pinnacle 130 for AT

  For their first foray into the world of ski boots K2 is making a big splash in a pond teaming with established competitors. What’s more, they’re making a big deal of the freeride, go-anywhere-you-want aspect of their line. Which means they deserve a closer look. At the WWSRA demo day in February I stuck …

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1st Impressions from WWSRA Demo Day

  Even the though the bulk of new gear for next season is aimed at the urban backcountry skier, that just whets the appetite for more adventure down the road. It is awesome to see how many manufacturers are offering the necessary ingredients for a BC passport. One day at the Outdoor Retailer show was …

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Ski Review: Dynastar’s Cham HM 97

  When you first look at any of Dynastar’s Cham skis it is hard not to think, “somebody was smoking some whacky tobaccy when they made that ski.” Even in an age when traditional shapes and construction are rarely the norm anymore the Cham series draws attention with a tip that more resembles the bow …

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Review: Scarpa Freedom SL

  For a heavy weight boot from a backcountry focused company Scarpa’s new AT boot, the Freedom, delivers much of the performance you would expect from a traditional alpine boot, but without much weight. If that sounds contradictory, let me explain. True, it does weigh in at an ounce over four pounds per boot (1.85 …

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Mantis: Elegant home brewed TTS

Editor’s Note: The fact that several people are tinkering on their own with the TTS concept verifies two things. First, that tele is far from dead. Secondly, that the future of further progress in the telemark world will be found where the grass roots energy is flowering in spite of the lack of commercial development. …

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