Large enough to do an overnight in the Whites, yet small and light enough to pack for a quick day of bear hunting in Erving State Forest, the Kuiu Venture 1800 has traveled all over the Northeast with me the past several months.
Belays and Brews: Rattlesnake Rocks
Rattlesnake Rocks has some of the best single pitch climbing in Greater Boston. While we’ve already written about some of the area’s best easy trad climbs, here is a six-pack of enjoyable routes that are worth checking out if you are in the vicinity as well as a pro tip on where to kick back after a fun day climbing.
Presi Training
At 20+ miles in length and with almost 10,000 feet in elevation gain, doing the Presidential Traverse in a day is a feather in any hiker’s cap. Here are some tips for taking it from pipe dream to reality.
La Sportiva TX Guide — Initial Impressions
A crossover between a trail runner and an approach shoe, I lusted over La Sportiva’s TX Guides for months. But the initial reviews I read were mixed—some said the sizing was funky, while others just raved about them. Eventually, curiosity got the better of me and I got a pair. After two months of lapping the Blue Hill Slab and some climbing sessions at Quincy Quarries, it was a great decision, as Sportiva’s latest approach shoe is perfect for the slabby terrain that I frequent. Here are my initial impressions:
The Gear We Love: Winter 2021
Everybody on the TWR wrote about their favorite piece of gear for Winter 2020-2021. Here are our choices.
Wolverine ShiftPlus Polar Range BOA Review
During late winter and early spring of 2020, I tested the Wolverine ShiftPlus Polar Range BOA, wearing the boots for hundreds of hours over the course of 30+ hikes.
An Ode to the Small Ski Hill
Small ski hills are the lifeblood of the ski industry in the northeast. Sure they don't have the glitziest base lodges, the fastest lifts, or most vertical, but you and most skiers you know probably learned to ski at one.
The Joy of Traditional Snowshoes
The next time you look at that old pair of snowshoes hanging up above the bar think about the grand adventures such a pair could take you on and the history of those who traveled that way before.
5.10s for Scott
As he continues to develop his resume for a future AMGA Rock Guide Course, Scott recently asked me to share some favorite 5.10s that he could top-rope before leading. Here’s the first five on my list, along with a little beta for each route.
What's In Your First-Aid Kit
First aid knowledge and training are the two most important pieces of gear that you can carry into the backcountry, a useful first aid kit is a close third.
Navigation Games and Social Distancing
Land navigation is an easily lost skill that requires deliberate practice to remain proficient. It is a skill that is amenable to practicing during these times of social distancing as well as on rainy days.
No Gym—No Problem
With the current situation involving the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become impossible or a poor idea to gym climb unless you have a personal home gym. That can be a bit of a drag for many of us, however, we can turn that situation around to take care of ourselves and hit the upcoming rock season even stronger. Below I lay out some ideas to kick start your at-home training so you get stronger during this situation.
Quincy Quarry Dry Tool Cracks
Quincy Quarry has three excellent dry tool cracks. Early season favorites of mine, they are worth checking on any day you want to swing the tools, but the ice isn’t “in.”
Quincy Quarries Ice Climbing Guide
Quincy Quarries is one of the last places where you’d think there’d be ice climbing. But it’s there, at least until it isn’t. And when it’s “in,” it’s actually pretty good. Here are my favorite routes as well as some beta.
Route Profile: Endeavour, White's Ledge
Tim and I recently climbed Endeavour (5.7, Grade III), a classic route up White’s Ledge in Bartlett, New Hampshire, as part of my 2019 Must-Climb Routes. Although unseasonably warm, we were rewarded with engaging climbing, an alpine-like setting, and an incredible view of the White Mountain National Forest as it transitions into its fall splendor. Since the route is south-facing and warm, there’s still ample time to jump on it this season.
Mick’s Picks: The Fist Red Back Glove
I bought a pair of Fist Gloves in July because I needed new gloves after an awesome trip on the Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route. The Fist Gloves are all the same style, just with different graphics and after some indecision, I ended up picking the Fist Red Back Glove because I have a thing for spiders. I’ve worn them just about every time I’ve been in my dual sport since then. After 500 miles, here’s what I think.
Route Profile: Lakeview, Cannon
Scott and I recently climbed Lakeview (5.6, Grade III, 7 pitches) on Cannon as part of my 2019 Must-Climb Routes. It was awesome, although at times a little intimidating. It was also, in keeping with Cannon’s reputation, a bit loose.
Gushing About Hiking in Yellowstone
Bug spray: check, sunscreen: check, Bear spray: check. It was while reading the directions on the back of the bear spray that I began to have second thoughts. Just how safe were we, bringing our five and eight year olds hiking through Yellowstone, let alone my late sixties in laws in tow, when each trail was emblazened with reminders of the dangers of Bear Country? It didn’t help that we had already seen a grizzly on the side of the road and had also met a black bear who strolled down a hill to the street and leisurely crossed the road in front of the car. The bears were active in Yellowstone and we were taking the family on a backwoods hike to see some of the park’s great sites.
Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route: Day 6
Our final day on the MABDR started in Pembroke, Virginia. Much like the day before, the riding began on windy dirt roads. While it was great to be riding again, all the back and forth left Jim and me begging for some fun, simple straightaways. We really wanted to let it rip!
Beginner's Guide to Personal Climbing Kit
So you finally have a weekend to join your friends on a trip to Rumney and you’re excited to climb outside for the first time. All that time learning to climb in the gym has prepared you for the physical aspects of the upcoming climbs, but not necessarily the personal gear you need to send the transition from gym to crag. Here’s my recommendation for a streamlined and highly versatile kit.